The section of Vliet Street between 35th Street and 40th is largely a collection of vacant commercial properties. The lack of "destinations" in the area causes the street to become a mere thoroughfare. This project adapts the flexible structure of one of these currently vacant commercial properties in this section of Vliet to accommodate a Hmong restaurant, potential expansions to other buildings, and new uses. It creates a destination in a community that has next to none. The design has the ability produce an engaged community by turning the restaurant into the area’s social hub. This space, with the capacity to host events, live music, or festivals, provides the patrons an opportunity to meet and interact with one another where presently those opportunities are hard to come by. This increased activity on Vliet should attract other businesses to the area and hopefully spark a period of economic growth in the neighborhood.
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Performative Mapping
This map shows potential locations on Vliet for adaptive reuse projects.
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Selected Site
The site chosen for this design proposal is currently being renovated with the goal of opening a Hmong restaurant. The building faces south onto Vliet and has an abutting parking lot to the east. Together, they occupy the southeast corner of the block. The property lot has an elevated back yard with two garages facing the back alleyway. With the exception of the building adjacent to this site, occupied by a tobacco shop and a tattoo parlor, the rest of the commercial properties on this block are vacant.
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Property seen from Vliet Street
Garage facing the back alley
The building has an abutting parking lot to the east.
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Building History and Form Analysis
Scholars of vernacular architecture (Habraken 1998, Hubka 1979) argue, vernacular designs offer infinite number of creative variations and options within the constraints of an overarching thematic grammar. Understanding that grammar is key to understanding the flexibility and power of vernacular architecture. See a detailed history of this building here.