Glenham Farm: Designing a Development Paradigm in South Providence

Preface

Born of a broader, more conceptual interest in product and material reuse, this investigation has grown quickly into a much more involved study of urbanism and development, focused increasingly on understanding the socio-urban consequences of material and spatial re-appropriation on community revitalization.

Fundamental Points of Consideration:
Is the conflict between the objectivity that comes with studying areas from afar, and the inevitable subjectivity of working in and observing local communities misleading/dangerous in trying to develop a more effective development paradigm?

How does the issue of “permanence” (of program, use, location, structure etc.) effect or inform the success of an architectural intervention? i.e. is longevity and effectiveness of intervention contingent on how prescriptive the program/design is?

Does there exist an appropriate scale/scope for an effective intervention?

How far can and should a “theoretical” intervention go in order for a thesis to be adequately realized?

Glenham Farm II

Conecptual Planning:

Early planning strategies for Glenham Farm are negotiated around the logistical need to accomodate a seasonal influx in planting and user occupancy, while also allowing for and encouraging a sponteneity of individual uses and multiplicity of community programs. Each scheme presented below is conceived of not merely as an urban garden, but more conceptually as a catalytic type of civic space, in which community activity is given dimension around and in between the programmatic objects of the garden itself. Planting beds are conceived of in their planning as the elements that define boundaries, thresholds and direct circulation within the site, while also distinguishing the site as a kind of community "hub" that preserves the parcel's perception as a valuable center of community activity throughout the year.

Garden Accessibility and Proximities in South Providence

Property Vacancies in South Providence

Interpolated from the Providence Tax Assessor's map, the diagram below illustrates the availablity of neglected space in South Providence and their proximities to existing neighborhood elements and to each other. The potential for community integration and even renewal is increasingly suggestive in the higlilghted areas if necessary program is implemented on the sites with appropriate design.