MIAMI UNIVERSITY / OXFORD, OHIO / SPRING 2019 STUDIO, IN PERSON
an adaptive reuse and mixed use city hub
an adaptive reuse and mixed use city hub
Providing a meeting plaza for a city with diverse demographics, The Districts is a collection of spaces and programs which seek to provide an inclusive space for the various residents of Cincinnati, Ohio to come together. Originally known as the Terrace Plaza Hotel, a groundbreaking manifestation of modernism by SOM, this project explores ideas to reestablish old and new communities in a unique metro area. Right in the heart of Cincinnati, the density of this urban area provides public passage and use by drawing attention from residents and visitors to allow for the growth of small startups and local businesses, while supporting the locals concurrently through various programs. Combining affordable housing, social spaces, and recreational activities, this cooperative center with localized services becomes a collaborative hub for the public. The transition between public and private spaces emit a cohesive core for the community, while providing daily services to those taking a break from work, after school, or just spending some time with friends in the city.
Team Members: Daniel Nolan, Carly Hansen, Evan Warder, Summer Nicholas, Michal Epstein
While this was a collaborative project, all images and documents are my original work unless otherwise noted.
While this was a collaborative project, all images and documents are my original work unless otherwise noted.
Exterior Perspective, in collaboration with Evan warder, team member
THE IDEAS
Conceptual Branding
The overall branding goal of The Districts is to create a one answer to connect a wide variety of people with different backgrounds across the greater Cincinnati area. The city attracts all kinds of visitors and passersby including local Cincinnatians, students from surrounding universities, business people, and tourists, all with different backstories and histories. The Districts aims to include as many of these speculated communities through the wide variety of services across the overall building.
The overall branding goal of The Districts is to create a one answer to connect a wide variety of people with different backgrounds across the greater Cincinnati area. The city attracts all kinds of visitors and passersby including local Cincinnatians, students from surrounding universities, business people, and tourists, all with different backstories and histories. The Districts aims to include as many of these speculated communities through the wide variety of services across the overall building.
Urban Density & Local Communities and Businesses
The implementation and addition of local communities creates a full circle growth loop at the Terrace Plaza. Individual businesses have the opportunity to thrive while providing desired services to a unique and ever changing population through local exposure, connection, and transaction. Whether a short work space occupancy, summer leasing, or charity booth, this range of services allows for the growth of small, startup, and local businesses seeking a market in the Cincinnati area.
The implementation and addition of local communities creates a full circle growth loop at the Terrace Plaza. Individual businesses have the opportunity to thrive while providing desired services to a unique and ever changing population through local exposure, connection, and transaction. Whether a short work space occupancy, summer leasing, or charity booth, this range of services allows for the growth of small, startup, and local businesses seeking a market in the Cincinnati area.
THE PLAN
Overall Building Program
As an overall master plan for the building, The Districts incorporates various programmatic elements including affordable housing, educational resources, workplace environments, health and wellness centered spaces, various restaurants, and other social spaces. These elements aim to recentralize services for the residents of Cincinnati while creating an exciting interior public space. The transition between the public and private sectors emits a cohesive core for the community while providing daily services.
As an overall master plan for the building, The Districts incorporates various programmatic elements including affordable housing, educational resources, workplace environments, health and wellness centered spaces, various restaurants, and other social spaces. These elements aim to recentralize services for the residents of Cincinnati while creating an exciting interior public space. The transition between the public and private sectors emits a cohesive core for the community while providing daily services.
Lobby Floor Plan
Across the lobby on the ground floor, local businesses and organizations have the opportunity to come together and provide services for the people of Cincinnati. Whether taking a coffee break, doing some quick grocery shopping, meeting up with friends, or seeking a new place to call home, these amenities accentuate the community of the city.
Across the lobby on the ground floor, local businesses and organizations have the opportunity to come together and provide services for the people of Cincinnati. Whether taking a coffee break, doing some quick grocery shopping, meeting up with friends, or seeking a new place to call home, these amenities accentuate the community of the city.
THE MAIN SPACES
Interior View from East Entrance - Main Lobby & Reception
Murals created by local artists highlight Cincinnati’s roots and local culture, manifesting the lobby as a place for the people. Vegetation directing people as a form of wayfinding provides added positive biophilic effects. The double height entry allows users and residents to fully explore the aspects of the program and find the service best fitting to their needs at the current moment.
Murals created by local artists highlight Cincinnati’s roots and local culture, manifesting the lobby as a place for the people. Vegetation directing people as a form of wayfinding provides added positive biophilic effects. The double height entry allows users and residents to fully explore the aspects of the program and find the service best fitting to their needs at the current moment.
Interior View From North Entrance - Social Stairs & Food Hall
The social stairs act as a hub for people to hang out and interact, and as an advertisement area for local businesses and community organizations. Local food vendors occupy spaces under the stairs and mezzanine for people who want a quick bite or snack, with supportive seating and alcoves surrounding. The exposed structure strengthens the idea of connectedness of one to the building and the community around them.
The social stairs act as a hub for people to hang out and interact, and as an advertisement area for local businesses and community organizations. Local food vendors occupy spaces under the stairs and mezzanine for people who want a quick bite or snack, with supportive seating and alcoves surrounding. The exposed structure strengthens the idea of connectedness of one to the building and the community around them.