EDU-SCAPE: Crafting Social Landscapes through Learning within Ivy City and Trinidad

Abstract

The District of Columbia boasts wonderful neighborhoods of various scales and cultures, with many stemming from the city’s inception. While enriched with life, culture, and community, not all neighborhoods share the same benefits, with several neighborhoods and communities within the district devoid of amenities which are present elsewhere. Ivy City and Trinidad, both historic communities located in Ward 5 have historically been ignored by the city, with several master plans and development campaigns threatening the livelihood of local residents in exchange for economic benefit. This thesis seeks to find ways to design for such communities, while providing enriched social spaces for locals amid threatening campaigns and architecture. By acknowledging the existing academic facilities and institutions located in both neighborhoods, the design of the project focused on utilizing learning facilities and communal design initiatives to provide residents with facilities that provide amenities and communal spaces for lifelong learning and improved quality of life.