Group Site:

This project represents a collaborative effort by a team of three architecture students under the supervision of Professor George Proctor, Chair of the CPP Architecture Department. The site design, primarily led by Megan Volheim, integrates the work of all team members into a cohesive, interconnected environment. A central feature of the site is a wide promenade, designed not only as a functional fire lane but also as a versatile public space capable of hosting events such as street fairs and food truck gatherings.

Water features strategically connect the four distinct project areas—each representing a student’s design, including a "ghost site" conceptualized by Megan Volheim—while intentional pathways facilitate seamless integration between the programs of each project. The site promotes unity, with structures visually pointing towards one another, symbolizing connection and collaboration. Between the buildings meandering paths guide visitors through towards public programs while leading to a grand central promenade. The extensive landscaping incorporates green spaces and activity areas, offering a natural escape within an urban setting and fostering a community-centered environment that harmonizes nature with urban living.​

My Site:

The project embodies a vision of urban living that integrates the essence of suburban "backyard" spaces into a multi-family housing design. By positioning two-story units on the podium-level ground floor, the layout maximizes natural sunlight throughout all levels and offers the ambiance of a single-family home. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with its own private backyard space, providing residents with a personal outdoor retreat in an urban environment. Recognizing the challenges of rising housing costs and the inaccessibility of traditional single-family homes for many, this project reimagines those ideals in a compact and innovative form.

The design brings the suburban concept of private outdoor spaces to the city while fostering a communal and family-oriented atmosphere. Strategically arranged, the units encircle the core of the development, creating a protective barrier that safeguards essential family programs, such as a large daycare and a podium-level activity area, from the challenges of the surrounding urban environment. This central hub features grass terraces, picnic spaces, and a pool, ensuring safe and accessible spaces for families to gather, play, and relax.

Each unit also includes dedicated storage, accessible via a large elevator connected to a 15-space parking garage, enhancing convenience and functionality for residents. The development further enriches the community by incorporating diverse commercial programming on the ground floor, including a library/bookstore, plant shop, café, boutique, bike and scooter rentals, and more. This blend of residential and commercial amenities creates a vibrant and multifunctional hub, offering residents a lifestyle that harmonizes the comforts of suburban living with the opportunities of an urban environment.