Dezeen School Shows: a community centre that promotes education and agriculture initiatives is included in this school show by students at Kean University.

Also included is a redesign of a playground in Rome, Italy, and a clinic for children with ADHD.

Kean University

Institution: Kean University
School: School of Public Architecture and Michael Graves College, Robert Busch School of Design
Course: Arch 5109, Studio 9: Complex Program II, Arch 4107, Studio 7: Urban Design, Planning, and Housing, Arch 3106, Studio 6: Travel (USA), Arch 3106, Studio 6: Travel (Rome), Arch 2104, Studio 4: Urban Building, INTD 4112
Tutors: Gabriel Fuentes, Sarah Ruel-Bergeron, Stephanie Sang Delgado, Thomas Craig Sinclair and Michelle Komornik and Darion Washington

School statement:

"Studio 9 – Complex Program II: The design of individual or multiple structures in a manner that addresses an increasingly complex program is addressed. Themes include a refined assessment of site conditions, functional program, structural and enclosure systems, ecological and environmental impact and the historical and cultural precedents appropriate for the topic.

"Studio 7 – Urban Design, Planning and Housing: The integration of a large structure into its surroundings is investigated and housing programs of varied scale are addressed. The studio utilises appropriate methods of utilising local materials and systems of construction.

"Studio 6 – Travel: The design of a building project in a new culture defines this travel semester. Themes include analysis of site conditions, culture as it affects programmatic analysis, ecological and environmental impact and the historical and cultural themes appropriate for locale.

"Studio 4 – Urban Building: The formation and assembly of building elements in the urban context are addressed in detail. Skills to develop the ability to analyse a complex site and to make informed choices of regarding programming, structure and materials are developed.

"Interior Design Senior Thesis: A studio for deeper exploration and application of technical skills gained in previous classes to the design of commercial, hospitality, healthcare, residential, merchandising and/or mixed use environments."

Malecon Sala: A Community Connected by Jennifer Banzon

"Hurricanes are a common occurrence in the Caribbean. However, due to sea water levels rising and longer periods of drought, Cuba's ability to weather hurricanes has been put under threat for every year that passes.

"The Malecon seawall is the coastal corridor that historically has protected Havana for centuries – it holds an economic, social and existential importance to the citizens.

"Given its current eroded state, there is a need to mitigate and address the immediate threats of flooding, water table encroaching and property damage.

"Malecon Sala: A Community Connected, is a holistically designed project to address the environmental threats faced on the Malecon seafront while also giving these spaces back to the community.

"Through the deployment of a multi-layered infrastructure system, we can implement a mix of architectural and landscaping solutions for different areas of vulnerability while also providing social spaces for the community at the seafront."

Student: Jennifer Banzon
Course: Arch 5109, Studio 9: Complex Program II
Tutors: Gabriel Fuentes and Sarah Ruel-Bergeron
Email: banzonj[at]kean.edu

The Split by Patrick Gergich

"The Split aims to highlight the disconnect between the government, locals and tourists in Havana, Cuba.

"Plaza Vieja is used as a tourist attraction that puts money in the pockets of the government, at the expense of the locals – there are strict rules and regulations that prohibit local and tourist interaction as well as all programs and services.

"My design acts as a focal point to bring everyone together by mixing leisure and food with governmental offices, creating a forced interaction and intending to bring attention to existing problems and any necessary solutions.

"I extend my designs to the nearby port, connecting with existing and new programs, with the project goal to force back against governmental control by encouraging interactions and moments of gatherings in and around Plaza Vieja.

"The plaza design is more focused and on a smaller scale, while the port intervention is a larger and more public scale."

Student: Patrick Gergich
Course: Arch 5109, Studio 9: Complex Program II
Tutors: Gabriel Fuentes and Sarah Ruel-Bergeron
Email: gergichp[at]kean.edu

The Raiz Community Centre by Kamila Diaz Calderon

"The Raiz Community Centre, located between the areas of Elizabeth and Union, NJ, addresses the critical issue of food insecurity within an urban landscape by merging food production with community services, fostering interaction and education.

"The facility has two distinct clusters, each including functions for teaching and commercial kitchens, art studios, classrooms, a food bank and a food pantry.

"These clusters are interwoven with vertical hydroponic gardens, serving as a green spine that connects the spaces, as well as rooftops adorned with green roofs and crop gardens to encourage engagement with the process of food production.

"The waffle roof acts as a unifying element across the site, its design is dictated by varying the orientation and height, creating a cohesive tectonic expression.

"This thoughtful integration of form and function not only enhances the user experience but also strengthens the communal bond within this vibrant urban hub."

Student: Kamila Diaz Calderon
Course: Arch 4107, Studio 7: Urban Design, Planing and Housing
Tutors: Stephanie Sang Delgado
Email: diazcalk[at]kean.edu

Gioco Vivace (Play Lively) by Rimervi Mendez Vasquez

"A life without joy and playfulness is one to fear – Gioco Vivace is a project that celebrates fun, colour and connection to the environment.

"The project is set in Rome, Italy, within the Testaccio Market. After exploring the surrounding area, a neglected playground stood out – it was dull, dark and nearly abandoned by children, adults and anyone who passed it; lacking any inviting quality.

"The transformation involved three key steps: designing a new foundational ground pattern, creating a seamless space for play and relaxation and bringing it all together under a pavilion that exudes character and life.

"The shapes and forms of the project are inspired by the existing layout.

"Gioco Vivace connects history with a renewed vibrancy, breathing new life into the space."

Student: Rimervi Mendez Vasquez
Course: Arch 3106, Studio 6: Travel (Rome)
Tutors: Stephanie Sang Delgado
Email: mendezvr[at]kean.edu

S.H.Y (Sacred Hub for Youth) Library by Mailka Roberts

"Unbuilt project located adjacent to the Highbridge, The Bronx, New Jersey, on 23 May 2024.

"Approximately 40,000 square feet, consisting of the basic library particulars, multiple conference and flexible rooms, a floor dedicated to prayer and religious practices, art gallery, exhibition space and an accessible balcony.

"There are six floors excluding the balcony which are all positioned differently but connected through their similar compositions.

"While promoting engagement with the stairs next to it and its many floors, this library is embedded in the topography of its condition.

"It is also a complete contrast to its surroundings with its fluid composition in the midst of the concrete jungle of New York."

Student: Mailka Roberts
Course: Arch 2104, Studio 4: Urban Building
Tutor: Darion Washington
Email: robemali[at]kean.edu

Obscured by Nicholas Chatzopoulos

"This proposed wellness facility located on Ellis Island fabricates a relationship between history and now.

"Through the use of points connecting the site to surrounding forts, three forms were developed, each mimicking the sharp and angular geometries found on Ellis Island and the aforementioned neighbouring forts.

"The new forms collide into each other and pierce through the existing structures on site, each one pointing proudly in the direction of connecting points, creating large lookout lounges to harbour social interaction between guests at the facility.

"Two of the existing structures on site were repurposed and turned into atriums, promoting wellness through interactions with nature.

"An additional existing structure was repurposed into a library to foster mental wellness."

Student: Nicholas Chatzopoulos
Course: ARCH 3106, Studio 6: Travel (USA)
Tutors: Thomas Craig Sinclair and Michelle Komornik
Email: chatzopn[at]kean.edu

Rainbow Centre for Children and Adolescents with ADHD by Sarah Jolly

"The Rainbow Centre celebrates the vibrant colours in nature to create an inspiring, relaxing and creative environment for children and adolescents with ADHD.

"Each wing of the clinic utilises different monochromatic colour schemes to encourage the idea of colour coding and has a distinct purpose to keep the patient's thoughts organised.

"Pastel colours are used to ensure that children are not overstimulated.

"Each wing of the building utilises the forms of the ecosystem it is inspired by (for example, hexagons in bumblebees or curves in the ocean).

"Seating is incorporated in each zone for parents to remain close to their children."

Student: Sarah Jolly
Course: INTD 4112 – Fall 2023
Email: jollys[at]kean.edu

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Kean University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.