Creating a Connected Campus

Project Overview: This project was completed as a part of the Archeworks Sustainable Urban Design Certificate Program.

Two historically underperforming neighborhood schools approached Archeworks in a time of hopeful transition to assist in the development of ideas around promoting a culture of health, improving interschool connectivity, and enhancing outdoor space.

Research: A full semester of research was focused on understanding existing conditions of the schools and the surrounding neighborhood. Findings included a strong arts community, rich cultural diversity among students, and a historical lack of connectivity between the two neighborhood schools. Although many options were explored, our team focused on an experiment using a temporary art installation to reimagine the outdoor space that currently divides the two schools.

Installation: The temporary installation was completed over several months beginning with students making flags to be hung between the two schools and culminating in a two-day event that included closing down the street that divides the two schools and creating a physical connection between the schools using temporary paint on the street and sidewalks. The temporary street takeover challenged students, staff, parents, and other community members to reimagine the street as a space for students and as a connecting element between the schools.