Merchant/Artist Village

Okay, so new idea.

I think I'd like to do a Merchant/Artist Village. I'm really liking this one.

I've gone back to my original thinking that habitation is a huge part of establishing (or, in this case - revitalizing) a community. But it is definately not the only part.

I think that a merchant/artist village could really be successful. Art is about self expression right? What about community expression? Can we have both? How can this individuality impact positively and not be considered a contributor to the individualist society? These are the things which I think could be explored here.

As discussed, there is the issue of communal spaces and activities and those of individual nature which challenge it. I think that this village could be a great way to explore this.

In a historical context, I guess this organization could resemble the industrial period when mill and factory communities were organized through the major program of the mill/factory itself with connection to the housing of its personnel and their activities. Of course, here, the artists and merchants are not "workers" but rather a staple in engaging people with this program.

Program:

Mixed Use

• market (day) - food, crafts, art...
• entertainment (night) - concerts, interpretative dance?, interactive performances, comedy, movies
• flexible space - neighborhood meetings, art classes, exhibits...

**this also touches upon an earlier idea of trying to make neighborhoods safer and more active through day&night program.

Housing

• merchant/artists - (would explore individual apartments but also the public spaces of the complex.) - maybe considered low income??
• maybe their individuality shows in the design/look of their apartment and adds a positive impact to this community

Program Panic

So I've been thinking a lot about program. In doing so.. I have revisited my "thesis" and the problem which I need to solve.

Thesis: Architecture should evoke community.

Problem: Disconnect (from society). Loss (of identity). Rejection (of public space).
- most importantly; the individualist society.

I think that in order to successfully address this problem of the individualist society, it is necessary for me to incorportate both individually and communally based program. This way, users will be able to understand the contrast and combination of the two, but benefit from the "community" which it creates/evokes. I think that the goal, which would promote "community", is for users to grow/change/(get/give) support, togethor. When I say togethor... I don't necessarily mean that you do not have any privacy in your affairs, but rather that you are aware of the commitment, progress, and changes going on with other users. Awareness of others in a social network and the engagement between users within that network are the social influences that I think can comprise this community.

There are a few different types of program which I am thinking of.

- Mixed Use; market (day) & entertainment (night)
market- communal
theater - individual time
- Community Center
counseling - for individual support
classes, activities - to promote social engagement
* although I do not want this to become a catch-all of program
** I feel like it may be risky to consider a program which already has a
"community" connotation attached to it.
- Education
group learning - classrooms set up to induce group thinking
individual learning - classrooms set up to induce individual learning
- Housing
social spaces - set up to induce social interaction
living space - set up as private for the individual

What I am seriously considering now is a Wellness Center which incorporates a few of the program ideas of above... (I guess, in a way, it is kind of like a "community" center w/out the strings attached).

this would include...
- physical and mental wellness
- each broken further down into both individually and comunally based program

Physical
fitness - indiv. workouts & exercise classes
diet - nutrionist & cafe
clinical
education (classes/workshops)

Mental
clinical
support - babysitting, career center
stress management - massage, spa, meditation....
activites/entertainment - fundraising, movie night, summer camp ...

(i.e. Physical; fitness. indiv = personal workouts. communal = classroom exercise)
Mental; support. indiv= one-on-one counseling. communal = group therapy)

I don't know if this combo/contrast of individual/communal program is enough of a gesture at opposing individualist society and restablishing community.

I don't know if this would be enough to make people give a shit about interacting with others and being aware of their presence or if they would just as easily crank up their ipods & drown out socialism. What is it that I really want them to think.. feel.. be aware of ??

Is this still a catch-all? Is this the 9th floor where people eat clams w/ boxing gloves.? Or in this case... where the mentally distressed get counseling, a facial and a washboard abs?

aaahhhh....

Reconstructing the Community.
Urban Renewal & its Social Influences.

Problem Statement: rejection. disconnect. loss.

• We have become an individualist society which is slowly rejecting (intended use of) public spaces and ignores our context.
• We are becoming disconnected with society and humans themselves.
• We have experienced a loss of identity and groupings within our context.

Architectural Intentions:

• Create public spaces which induce and/or suggest human activity.
• Diverse grouping of program to promote socialization.
• Break down of territorality.
• Preservation and/or tranditional program/approach.

Project Statement:

• Urban renewal through social, economical, and architectural revitalization.
• Focus on "disconnected" city neighborhood. (i.e. Boston; local, personal)
• Recreation of the lost sense of community.

Program Outline:

• Housing for diverse groupings.
• Mixed use to promote diversity, extended day use, and economic revitalization.
• Preservation & Tradition to promote deeply "rooted" community.