Conceptual Bridge Proposal Models

After the Community Stakeholder Meeting, our studio is using the feedback we received to further our designs. For the meeting, each student presented their conceptual models, exploring ideas about connection, movement, and their visions for the surrounding area. Discussing with the stakeholders gave us a better understanding of their perspectives and priorities, which we are using to shape the next steps in our designs.

El Dorado Firm Tour and Welding Tutorial

This week, our studio had the opportunity to visit El Dorado Architects in Kansas City. We toured their design workspace and their in-house fabrication shop. El Dorado is known for blending architecture with hands-on making, and this visit gave us a look at how they integrate design and fabrication under one roof.

A highlight from our visit was a welding lesson, where we had the chance to try out two types of welding: TIG and MIG. For many of us, this was a first-time experience. Seeing how El Dorado blends between concept and fabrication was inspiring, showing us how architectural ideas can be tested, refined, and built in-house.

KU Steamfest

A few members of our studio attended KU GEAR UP STEAMfest. GEAR UP helps the graduating classes of 2030 and 2031 develop the academic skills needed to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education. We had a great time teaching the kids about architecture, planning and design. After breaking into groups, students were encouraged to design their own “Ideal City” with attractions, housing, and stores. Once they had finished, the students named their city and showed it to their class. We had a great time at Steamfest this year and hope to return next year.

Hi all, it's been a bit of a busy week, but we are back and continuing our efforts to grasp the potential of cardboard. Last Friday, we hosted the KU Urban Design capstone studio for a Happy Hour. We used this event to do a strength test of our Vignette #4, which was a strength test of a bridge made fully from corrugated cardboard with no glue. The strength test helped explore different structurable strategies; some were able to hold more than just the bricks, while some failed sooner. 

Happy hour // Bridge strength test

This week’s seminar was held at PH Coffee, where we listened to three speakers explain the evolution of the Crossroads. We learned many things, such as the establishment, its downfall, its rise to glory, and what it is today. We discovered how it wasn’t just the efforts of the community but also the vision of people who saw its potential. They didn’t just see a rundown city street; they saw communities of people from all sorts of backgrounds and the art they brought to the city

Regarding the advancement of our project, on Wednesday, we discussed with our advisors/partners and community stakeholders, who provided great feedback and insight into what the community truly needs to prosper. This helped deepen our understanding of what the bridge means for the community. After reviewing the feedback from stakeholders and community members, we can continue developing our vision for what the bridge represents for both sides of KCK and KCMO, as well as for those who travel here. This isn’t just about the residents; it’s about the potential for others who come and visit our great city. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make progress.

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.