Memories in the Margins: The use of architecture for storytelling

Abstract

The redevelopment process often excludes meaningful community participation, leading to incomplete architectural solutions that lack contextual understanding. Revitalization projects take place in communities with low property values and prime urban locations to maximize profits, causing displacement of current residents through rising property taxes, higher rents, as well as cultural and historical erasure—commonly known as gentrification. This pattern of development creates distrust between residents and built environment professionals. The erasure of cultural and historical information of a community can lead to detrimental disconnects between what a space socially, politically, and architecturally was.

This thesis aims to create an architectural intervention that incorporates conscious community engagement to gain the knowledge of the community of Poppleton’s past and present to help shape an inclusive future alongside community members. By implementing a more inclusive design process, contextual design elements, and embracing the historical production process, this thesis aims to improve this community’s experiences with redevelopment and enhance the personal and public lives of those in historically disinvested neighborhoods.