Project brief

Each team was assigned to a community in and around Pittsburgh. Our team was given Regent Square, a small community next to one of the city's biggest natural preserves, Frick Park. We were tasked to go into the community and conduct some research to find issues that needed to be resolved.

Research

Our initial research began with the community's history and background, as well as population makeup and geographical location. Our findings led us to understand the culture of the area, which is very open, friendly, small but proud, and environmentally conscious.

We identified a few key issues after a couple of visits:
1. The business district and community seemed disconnected and lacked an identity.
2. Regent's Squared so-called backyard Frick Park was hard to find for visitors.
3. No gathering spot/central location.

Development

Thus, we set off to solve these problems. We started initial concepts with really abstract and unrealistic ideas, which we later grounded and turned into our final solutions. Our initial thoughts included a central hub to gather the community, activity detectors throughout the city, and various seating around the community.

After more trips and interviews, we discovered a location that could suit the central hub concept. It was the two walls you saw upon driving into the business district. Both were barren (save for a small mural on one) and unwelcoming. We decided to focus on these two walls as facades for the Regent Square identity.

Due to the connection between Frick Park and Regent Square, we also decided to work on a facade and seating area for the Frick Park entrance. To address the distance between the walls and Frick Park, we designed lighting to be placed throughout the community to act as wayfinders.

With 5 people, our ideas and tastes varied drastically. However, we challenged to resolve the designs into a cohesive design and form language that could reflect the community's identity.

Solution

Our final redesign consisted of two redesigned walls, upgraded with seating and second level communal areas as well as a modern design and lighting, and a park entrance, with light posts throughout the community.

View the full project PDF here.