For local architects Elizabeth Schmidt and Brad Cooper, transforming vacant and underutilized space is one way to enliven neighborhoods and encourage community members to interact with the built environment.
So the two architects, with the help of the
Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati and a recent grant from
FUEL Cincinnati, launched
Place from Space—a competition that allows individuals to submit ideas for making use of empty and available spaces throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
“Thus far, we’ve received a handful of submissions that are kind of all over the map in terms of what they’re proposing,” Cooper says. “That was the idea—to generate a wide variety of ideas that are creative, innovative and aren’t just cleaning up the trash or cutting the weeds in the lot—they’re supposed to be simple but innovative.”
The competition will be open for
submissions through November 4, and participating neighborhoods include East, West and Lower
Price Hill,
Over-the-Rhine,
Covington,
East Walnut Hills and
Walnut Hills.
A designated
neighborhood group from within each community will select the finalists, while the public will vote on the People’s Choice finalist; and come spring, Schmidt and Cooper say transformations should begin.
“We’re both very interested in community design and designing for people,” Schmidt says. “We had seen some competitions in other cities that seemed to be really successful, and we thought with all the new energy and excitement in Cincinnati and with all of the momentum Cincinnati has in its unique neighborhoods, that it’d be a great fit for the city as well.”
Do Good:
•
Submit your ideas for turning underutilized spaces into active and vibrant places.
• Check out
ArchiNATI for more fun ways to engage with Cincinnati's built environment.
• Support your local community and neighborhood groups by volunteering, participating in activities or simply getting reacquainted with your neighbors.
By Brittany York
Brittany York is a professor of English composition at both the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. She also edits the For Good section of SoapboxMedia.