Bringing Music to Midtown: Recreating an Urban Community

Abstract

What role does architecture play in recapturing a sense of community in an era where cultural boundaries have been redefined by advanced communication technology? This thesis seeks to explore the relationship of architecture and community through the establishment of a city music center. Located in the Midtown district of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, an area long-slated for revitalization, the Midtown Music Center's mission is to create a place for musicians to increase their musical abilities and to serve as an entertainment venue, featuring students and local artists. Adjacent to the site, the city marketplace adds another layer of complexity in examining the interaction of social and cultural values with architectural form. Creating a city node, and redefining the edges of the market place are aspects of urban intervention to be examined, which aim at restoring the Midtown Market District to the hub of activity it once was.