Transformation of a common place through time. |
"Alleys that survive often become amenities that make homes and neighborhoods more attractive due to the human-scale environment they provide, their walkability, and their ability to connect people with nearby resources (shops, parks, transit)." '
–– A Brief History of Alleyways |
The goal of this project is to transform the unused portions of an alley behind Amaranth Cafe into a socially vibrant, economically productive, and multicultural public place. In order to achieve these goals, this design replaces existing vacant lots and garages with housing and semi-public spaces. As a result the proposed design increases the economic as well as social value of the property. It provides the community with a place to come together and call their own. The strategy of rethinking alleyways could be replicated in other alleyways around Milwaukee. The design is comprised of a building space which acts as the center of the project and an outdoor green space that can be utilized by the public realm.
The Design Alleyways are usually forgotten about, misunderstood, or turn into waste spaces. This project redevelops the Amaranth Alley by first identifying the inactive spaces within the alley. Inactive spaces are vacant, abandoned, and/or unoccupied nooks, garages and empty lots. A new alleyway becomes a series of interconnected public spaces organized in an experientially rich sequence. The design retains the structure of the existing garages but uses them as the semi-public community gathering spaces. New upper levels are added over the garage buildings to accommodate studio apartments and more private gathering spaces. While the buildings act as indoor communal spaces, the green spaces and in-between zones allow for even more connectivity within the neighborhood in the warm months. More
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History of alleysAlley in Denver Then: Alleys in North America vary from state to state, but the typical alleyway is described as a back lane, or service road. In residential areas, primarily those built before 1950, alleys provide rear access to a property where a garage was located, or where waste could be collected by service vehicles. Being on the less public side of a home, the alleyway creates a separate identity within itself. Alleys are typically roughly paved, but some may be dirt.
Now: Beginning in the late 20th century, alleys were rarely included in plans for new housing developments. The common alleyways are used by cities for trash pickup, by home owners who potentially use their garage for storage, or by local residents for short-cuts through the neighborhood.
Future: As alleyways become less common, the alley spaces begin to find their own way of redevelopment. Depending on the city, alleyways can be used for many different occasions. In recent times, development of alleyways has become more common, especially in populated cities were the funds and economic strength support the activities that occur.
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