ACTIVISM

“ A Neighbourhood of Care ”

In Collaboration with Ayo Sule Professor Hansy Better Barraza Fall 2020. Urban Ecologies \ Studio

Roxbury has been described as the “heart of Black culture in Boston.” We designed the given site, recently renamed Nubian Square in honor of the rising empowerment of the community members through their activism, to house a multicultural living and learning centre.

By molding a site that allows residents of the community to center and learn more about their history, engage with literature and artwork about their culture while also providing housing, leisure and recreational spaces plus a means to sustain themselves through farming and community gardens, we hope to establish a safe, thriving space that strongly binds the community together.

Our guiding principle, Activism, is explored in our buildings tectonic delamination, the indoor and exterior circulation and the general organization of the site.

As this project aims to create a site that merges people, culture and class through Activism, a core in the synergy of the Roxbury community we stressed on these three principles;

1. Community gardens/ farms to ensure food and agricultural security as well as coverage.

2. Mixed centers and spaces that practice a decolonized curriculum to reflect the identity and culture of the residents through multicultural learning.

3. Encourage emission-free modes of transportation through activated cycle spaces and pedestrian paths.

Community Gardens

Recreational Lawns

Site located in Nubian Square, Roxburry

Currently a Parking lot

Cycle & Walk Paths

Building Typology and Program

Site Ecology

Proposed Site Axon

Permeable Pavement for the “Actvism Corridor” we decided to introduce permeable pavements for the corridor that exist on our site for the pedestrian walkways and the road that runs to the site. This would ideally emphasize the green feel of the site, pushing forth a welcoming and environmentally conscious space.

Site Section from public to private spaces. “ Activism Corridor ” vision, the path that runs through the site, is for the site to create a corridor that invites Roxbury’s residents to feel comfortable in this multi-purpose complex