Abstract
The proposed design plan recently presented to university senior leadership was developed after rigorous needs finding, ethnographic research and diverse stakeholder input to balance targets for increased enrollment/ retention, educational programing and professional/ community development with commitment to the 3P’s of sustainability: people, planet, and prosperity. The purposeful place-making plan takes into consideration what the community has been historically, what stakeholders are saying and doing today, and where the university sees itself going forward to help adapt to changing needs of students and the economy. The “Pop-Up Blocks” design concept is centered around a 10,000 sq ft. mixed use common area, formally the campus swimming pool, with multidisciplinary programming and student initiated and run business incubators providing services, products, and events to the campus and surrounding downtown urban community. These entrepreneurial modules are to be selected by annual campuswide vote following an open pitch competition with a rubric prioritizing alignment with university values, needs, accessibility, wellness, and multi-department collaboration. The university not only provides start-up fees, designed space and fixtures but also matches students with local business professionals for mentoring before launching and while growing their unique vision. The dynamic spatial design’s key factors include flexibility and expansion opportunities, maximizing round-the-clock activity and traffic patterns, and being a model for best practices in sustainability.
Presenters
Amy KernAssociate Professor, Industrial Design, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
INTERIOR, PARTICIPATORY DESIGN, PLACEMAKING, INCLUSIVE, ACCESSABILITY
