Week 3: Studio Update

We're continuing to study cardboard as a modeling material. This week, we were challenged to mock up different joinery forms between cardboard without using adhesives. Our solutions included 3D printed connections, wooden dowels, and tongue-and-groove joints.

Vignette #3: Cardboard Joinery

Our Studio explored Riverview this past Monday morning, gathering more data throughout Wyandotte County to better understand the culture, historical landmarks, and buildable sites. We discovered that the KCK side is tight-knit with a welcoming, bright community featuring small businesses along the main roads.

Wyandot Echoes" (2007) (Artists: Duane Dudley, Jose Faus, Alisha Gambino; Location: 636 Minnesota Ave)

We discovered that Wyandotte County celebrates its heritage through numerous murals throughout the area. In Kansas City, KS, The Avenue of Murals project includes eight murals in a four-block corridor along Minnesota Avenue. These murals highlight the culture and individuality of the communities that live and work in Kansas City, KS.

The mural in the photo above is "Wyandot Echoes" (2007). “This mural represents the migrations of members of the Wyandot Nation, who were forced to leave Ohio, Michigan and Ontario by steamboat. Despite great difficulty, they built a prosperous town that would grow into what we know today as Kansas City, KS.”

Check out more information on The Avenue of Murals project here.

During our visit, we saw a new perspective of the bridge we hadn't encountered before. The plot of land was much larger than we anticipated, and we're excited to explore creative designs that maximize the space.

Site Vignette: A student sketches ideas

With our first site visits complete and corrugate material thoroughly studied, our ideas are developing quickly. Now we are focused on diagramming connections and program zoning to realize the full potential of this crucial node between the Central Area and West Bottoms.

Week 2: Studio Update

This past week, our studio has been busy creating a multitude of corrugated cardboard vignettes to study and analyze the characteristics of corrugate. Students were tasked with experimenting with different manipulation techniques and design approaches. After completing their studies, each student selected their six strongest pieces to present to the class, resulting in a diverse showcase. The class then gathered to share and discuss their explorations. These vignette studies helped students understand the material's properties and potential while also providing inspiration for incorporating corrugated cardboard in their upcoming physical models.

Vignette #2 Wall Display

Our studio welcomed several guest speakers this week. Tim Duggan, founder of Phronesis Landscape Architecture, shared his professional journey and discussed the rehabilitation project at 2000 Vine Street Brewery. Sarah White, executive director of the Missouri and Associated River Coalition and a Stormwater Program Manager with the Unified Government, delivered an informative presentation about the Kansas Levees, Parks, and Riverfront Systems. We also heard from Andrew Moddrell, an Associate Professor in KU's Department of Architecture and founding partner of PORT, a Chicago-based urban design practice specializing in public realm spaces. These speakers provided valuable insights and guidance as our studio begins work on the Central Avenue Bridge project.

Our week concluded with finalizing the scale for our site model. We wanted to ensure proper size and scale for future community engagement meetings, while maintaining sufficient detail to showcase both the site context and Central Avenue Bridge.  After printing multiple scale options, we reviewed them as a class. Through collaborative discussion, we determined the optimal site boundaries, orientation, and scale needed for both production and our final presentation.

Site Printouts

Spring 2025 KCDC Student Fellow, Tristyn Little!

We’d like to introduce our Spring 2025 KCDC Student Fellow, Tristyn Little!

Tristyn is a fourth-year Real Estate and Community Development student at K-State’s APDesign. She is assisting with the People Shaping Cities seminar by coordinating the guest speaker series, which features local and national ‘City Shapers.’

Tristyn has been instrumental in helping the newly established RECD program build connections with real estate and design professionals. The seminar also includes developers as part of the speaker series.

Bio:

Hi, I'm Tristyn, and I am passionate about community involvement and developing affordable housing. In my personal life, I enjoy spending quality time with my friends and family, singing, traveling to new places, and designing and organizing spaces. I am always looking for ways to grow, both personally and professionally, and with the help from KCDC, I will be able to get that jumpstart for my professional career.