Critical Regionalism meets Social Inequity
My critique of the Bronx's Casitas from Tuesday's lecture is
not of the goal of the project – it certainly is an example of a successful act
of claiming public space in the city for an underserved community. Because the
Casitas project was not lead by an architect, I think it's almost unfair for us
to use the same lens we would for critiquing Peter Eisenman for example.
Instead, I will share a project (lead by an architecture professor) that I
think explores a similar problem as the Casitas with a more complete
architectural response.
Holyoke Sentencing Enhancement Zoning |
At UMass Amherst, the Center for Design Engagement (CDE,
similar to Clemson SoA's CRDC) works a lot with the nearby city of Holyoke in
the hills of Western Massachusetts. Located on the banks of the Connecticut
River, Holyoke developed as a paper mill town. At the turn of the century
(1900), Holyoke had the third-largest concentration of Puerto Rican immigrants
in the country. By the 1950s, the city experienced another influx of Puerto
Ricans, many of who worked on the tobacco farms in the fertile river valley.
Today, Puerto Ricans still make up nearly 50% of Holyoke's demographics, the
largest Puerto Rican population per capita in the US, outside of Puerto Rico
itself. One can assume where this is headed: social injustice and inequity have
been derailing the city for decades. Holyoke has been a victim of
gerrymandering for years, illustrated by the mapping image that shows zones for
“sentencing enhancement” or in other words, when a defendant’s prior
convictions can double a prison term. These zones encircle the high concentrations
of the LatinX community.
The CDE collaborated with a UMass architecture studio to
explore how to punctuate Holyoke with small community centers and affordable
housing options for the LatinX community to create a more socially equal city
landscape. This specific design studio was rooted in the concept that the
architecture should not simply visually resemble the colorful vernacular Puerto
Rican architecture, unlike the Bronx Casitas.
Lechonera - Rendering |
Instead, by using a Critical Regionalist viewpoint the design process was focused on reinterpreting the spatial qualities of a typical Puerto Rican lechonera in a New England context. The project recognizes that a Lechonera (Latin pig roast restaurant) in Holyoke involves the creation of a space that has strong visual and cultural references, and that acts as both a place to eat and as a place of cultural affirmation. I believe the project is successful in its attempt at Critical Regionalism by designing seamless interior – exterior transitions that allow for flexibility for both the pig roasting line and gathering space for the community.
I think this is a really intriguing example on working with spatial justice. It was interesting you brought up gerrymandering as well because sometimes these spaces aren't only physical but political as well. This seems like a great opportunity for the school and students to make an impact on the community while furthering their education. I can't help but to wish there was more involvement like this from the private sector.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great example. I think architects tend to believe that responding to culture in an aesthetic and surface level basis is enough and neglect the more behavioral and experiential values that are a part of these cultures.
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