West Michigan Community Design Collaboration

1. WMCDC Goals • Enrich the community through design • Demonstrate the value of design and raise the public’s perception of architecture • Raise the awareness of environmental sustainability • Illustrate that well thought out design can be economical Benefits to community groups • Place to bring ideas for community improvement • Visuals generate interest for community ideas • Work is done at little or no cost to community groups • Gives a basis from which to write grant proposals Benefits to college students • Students gain experience through actual design work • Build valuable contacts (professional and otherwise) • Fosters a community-oriented mindset West Michigan Community Design Collaboration Kyle Wigboldy, Laura Smit, Nathan Poel - Calvin College Proposed Initiative Promote and aid neighborhood revitalization through the West Michigan Community Design Collaboration and college students in the Grand Rapids Area. Case Study: Cherry, Lake, Diamond Project Design Final concept incorporates the East Hills “center of the universe” theme. It includes an interactive map detailing walking distances to four local business districts and a spherical monument to serve as a community landmark. Purpose To build a monument, way-finding device, give sense of place to that area • Participants • Calvin American Institute of Architecture Students, American Institute of Architects Grand Valley, Uptown Committee • Process • Uptown Committee expressed need for community focal point in Uptown area • Initial design charette took place at Calvin College in October 2005. The goal of the charette was to generate three designs for approval • After presenting to the Uptown Committee, another charette was held to refine the designs into one final concept • After approval, the design was finalized by AIA Grand Valley and is scheduled to be built by Calvin students in spring 2006 Basis for this Initiative Grand Rapids already recognizes a need for neighborhood revitalization and community development. The WMCDC seeks community through projects that improve the quality of life and raise awareness of architecture and place. The collaboration strengthens community when citizens and students work together to offer services that affect the neighborhoods from which they come. Observations The design process fostered interaction between students, communities and businesses and challenged them to consider common priorities. It is hoped that the monument will give the Uptown area a sense of ownership and place. It should promote the walkability of the neighborhood and four business districts. Looking Forward The WMCDC is an excellent tool for creating relationships with local colleges, neighborhood associations and charitable organizations to actualize the community development goals of Grand Rapids. Some good examples of these would be streetscape deve3lopment, park and playground design and monuments that give a sense of place. Contacts:Nate Gillette, AIA Grand Valley Vice President Nate@bazzani.com Nathan Poel, Calvin College AIAS President njp4@calvin.edu