Studio Statement

The emphasis of this studio was directed towards exploring urban life in two ways:  one centered around the tangible and evident surfaces of our everyday landscape, the other addressing the unseen infrastructure that supports our everyday lives.  To confront climate change, the studio work attempts to transgress established policies and propose possible changes in urban spaces that while small moves can hold large effects.
 
The studio operated under the premise that sustainable urban development is one that improves the long-term social and ecological health of urban places. Students developed projects in such areas as:  compact, efficient land use; less automobile use yet with better access; efficient resource use, less pollution and waste; the restoration of natural systems; good housing and living environments; a healthy social ecology; community participation and involvement; and preservation of local culture and wisdom.  Although no one-student project will incorporate all of these concepts, some chose to combine these as impetus to motivating ideas and form.
 
Students spent much time in the Crossroads District of Kansas City, Missouri responding to what they see and experience, photographing and recording details through maps.  The students identified and built upon the latent relationships they found there.  A ‘bottom up’ approach was established as the basis of this studio, ultimately finding ways to insert some form of architecture into this place—rather than an approach that would require ‘top down’ politics, developer and civic investment.  The projects reveal how an approach with a mindset towards piecemeal, incremental elements and buildings can strengthen what exists, in the nature of this place.

Selected Projects:
Megan Barnes (4.5mb PDF)
Anne Bruce (4.1mb PDF)
Kyle Bunselmeyer & Andrew Rider Board 1 Board 2 Board 3 (19.5mb each)
Lindsey Dahl (26mb PDF)
Jeremy Krug (11mb PDF)
Elizabeth Noelke (76mb PDF)