Architecture | Max Saltrelli

Architecture:

In this studio, we were tasked with revitalizing an underutilized corner at the entrance of The Ville, a St. Louis neighborhood. The Ville is a neighborhood with an incredible and rich history, but unfortunately it lacks proper support due to systemic issues surrounding redlining. Because of this, the neighborhood has become very run down in recent years, which is incredibly apparent in the corner I'm hoping to revitalize. To prepare, I did a lot of research into the area and ultimately decided on designing a pavilion where community events could be hosted.

The Process:

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I began with the creation of a collage inspired by my extensive research on The Ville. In this collage, I wanted to highlight that the beautiful history of this neighborhood is not gone, as it can still be seen in the culture and spirit of its residents.

I took my collage and developed a line pattern based on its structure and themes. I then overlayed this sketch onto the current site plan. This line sketch served as layout inspiration throughout the rest of my design process.

I then moved on to modeling. I began at a 1/8"-1" scale, initally modeling my project directly on top of my line sketch. This allowed me to easily design my site plan to match the patterns of the sketch

Finally, I moved up to my final model at 1/4"-1" scale. Here, you will see the sketch of my finished site plan, and the physical model is shown below.

The Final Product:

In developing my site plan, I not only wanted to create a space that commemorates the rich history of this beautiful neighborhood; I aspired to cultivate a vibrant community hub. The pavilion, is thoughtfully crafted to dynamically accommodate various community events, ranging from concerts and art fairs to food truck gatherings. Additionally, the bottom floor will house a mural created by local artists to celebrate the history of the neighborhood. Committed to inclusivity, I ensured strict adherence to ADA accessibility guidelines, ensuring that the site becomes a welcoming haven for all those from The Ville, irrespective of age or ability, to converge and build community together.