What a Roof Can Do

The Lions Park Shade Pavilions project by the Rural Studio is an excellent example of how critical regionalism can be used as a design strategy in architecture. Critical regionalism is an approach to architecture that seeks to reconcile universal modernism with local cultural and environmental conditions. It aims to create a sense of place through the use of local materials, forms, and techniques while at the same time addressing more extensive societal issues. In the case of the Lions Park Shade Pavilions, the Rural Studio used locally-sourced materials, such as cypress and pine, to create a functional and beautiful structure. The pavilions provide much-needed shade and shelter for visitors to the park while also drawing attention to the importance of public spaces in rural communities.

The project also demonstrates the relationship between architecture and politics. Architecture is not just about designing buildings but also about addressing social and political issues. The Lions Park Shade Pavilions project was designed to meet the needs of a community that lacked basic amenities such as shade and shelter. By providing these amenities, the Rural Studio is helping to improve the quality of life for the people in the community. At the same time, the project highlights the importance of public spaces and the need for investment in rural communities. It is a reminder that architecture can be used as a tool for social change and that architects have a responsibility to address the needs of all people, regardless of their socio-economic status. 

My studio project, which addresses the needs of a specific population in Midtown, Atlanta, also provides a canopy roof structure to create a more pleasant atmosphere for the residents living in the facility. Atlanta's heat is similar to that of Greensboro, Alabama, home of the shade pavilions by Rural Studio. Hence, a similarly combined natural tree canopy with a layered artificial canopy creates an alternative to the heat: a cool, shaded environment underneath. The project's program also seeks to fulfill a need for low-income teenage residents with down syndrome, making it a political and social project.