Rejuvenating Benton HarborA Project Proposal for Benton Harbor, Michigan

George Simpson & Jacob ReslerArch 320: Placemaking StudioProfessor Moreno : Fall 2014

Vicinity Map

Site Plan Oblique

Ghirardelli Square St Joseph Benton Harbor

Figure Ground Drawings

Project Statement

City Revitalization Project

Benton Harbor, MI. USA.

George Simpson & Jacob Resler

This new development, along the western edge of Benton Harbor, at the corner of Main Street and 12th Street, seeks to benefit the city holistically through commerce, residence and food. The development of the site fuses with the architecture of the environment to create an experiential architecture that unfolds for visitors and residents as it is perceived through each individuals movement through the different spaces. This new development, draws from the existing and historical buildings, transforming the entire site into a pleasant experience for the visitors and residents.

Near the Whirlpool headquarters building, the development is distinguished by a tower, visible from both existing streets, and also as one walks through the site. The development is designed to form new spaces and give different angles of vision to the tower. The familiar architecture, the great work environment, and the shopping experience is possible thanks to a dynamic and supportive relationship between the work place, shops and residential environment.

As visitors move through the site, they will experience a flow between different interesting squares that will provide them with different degrees of intimacy, and bring the place to life, with views from one level to another, from inside to outside. The threaded movement between the squares of the site gives the development a fluid dynamism based on its sensitive relationship to its context. This proposal of new structures and public spaces seeks to compliment the citys rich history and promises a bright future for the city of Benton Harbor.

Parti Diagram Patterns Used

PATTERN 61: SMALL PUBLIC SQUARES

PATTERN 104: SITE REPAIR

PATTERN 106: POSITIVE OUTDOOR SPACE

PATTERN 124: ACTIVITY POCKETS PATTERN 127: INTIMACY GRADIENT

PATTERN 142: SEQUENCE OF SITTING SPACES

George Simpson & Jacob

Site Plan

12th Street Perspective

Section A

Section B

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

Section Perspective

Approach Perspective

Vista to the Main Building Balcony Perspective

Building Section Looking West

Plan Oblique

Vista of the Site from Main St. Perspective

George Simpson & Jacob Resler

Vista of the Site from Corner of Main and 12th Street

Night Perspective Looking out from Main Building

Interior Perspective Main Building-Second Floor

Vista of the Site looking North (Main St.)

Night Perspective. Looking to Main Building

Looking from Second Floor Balcony into Small Public Square

Vista of the Site from Main Street

George Simpson & Jacob Resler

Process WorkGeorge Simpson & Jacob Resler

Sheet 1 FinalSheet 2Sheet 3Sheet 4Sheet 5 Process Board