THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
KNOWLTON SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
4TH PLACE IN DENMAN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FORUM: ARTS & ARCHITECTURE CATEGORY
SPRING 2008
LOCATION: AKRON, OH
Can neighborhood revitalization provide both low-income, native residents with innovative, architecturally appealing housing alternatives while also creating viable options for a middle-class wave of residents on the move? Highland Square has seen a recent phase of neighborhood revitalization that had proved more consequential than beneficial. The recent closure of local restaurants and the failure to lease commercial space has resulted in a loss of services in the community. This project aimed to create a urban design proposal that would increase the density of the neighborhood by providing viable housing options for residents with a range of incomes, while integrating public services. The goal was to examine and redesign housing typologies as they are relevant to the site while applying principles of urban design as well as principles already set forth by the Highland Square Development Association.
