Project Name: Kalamazoo Downtown Walk
Team: Amir Lahouti
Instructors: Adam Fure
Year: 2022
Location: Kalamazoo,MI
Category: Studio (Foundation)
Kalamazoo’s downtown is a dynamic area—bustling with office workers during the day and transforming into a social hub on weekends. Where, a striking juxtaposition of buildings from different eras, heights, and functions creates unique urban spaces. This project focuses on three key buildings—North Condominium, Arcadia Condominium, and Kalamazoo Valley Museum—and the peripheral spaces they form along Kalamazoo Mall Street, now a pedestrian-friendly corridor.
Despite their potential, these in-between spaces remain underutilized due to their location at the edge of Kalamazoo Mall Street. To enhance their appeal and seamlessly integrate them into the pedestrian flow, this project introduces playful interventions with minimal cost. Vibrant sidewalk colors and urban furniture create a welcoming atmosphere, while designated food truck areas bring movement and activity, offering passersby a place to gather, eat, and socialize.
Team: Amir Lahouti
Instructors: Adam Fure
Year: 2022
Location: Kalamazoo,MI
Category: Studio (Foundation)
Kalamazoo’s downtown is a dynamic area—bustling with office workers during the day and transforming into a social hub on weekends. Where, a striking juxtaposition of buildings from different eras, heights, and functions creates unique urban spaces. This project focuses on three key buildings—North Condominium, Arcadia Condominium, and Kalamazoo Valley Museum—and the peripheral spaces they form along Kalamazoo Mall Street, now a pedestrian-friendly corridor.
Despite their potential, these in-between spaces remain underutilized due to their location at the edge of Kalamazoo Mall Street. To enhance their appeal and seamlessly integrate them into the pedestrian flow, this project introduces playful interventions with minimal cost. Vibrant sidewalk colors and urban furniture create a welcoming atmosphere, while designated food truck areas bring movement and activity, offering passersby a place to gather, eat, and socialize.
Project imagines transformation of these spaces into a responsive urban setting—when the buildings are active, the sidewalks provide respite; when the buildings quiet down, the sidewalks come to life, reinforcing the vibrancy of downtown Kalamazoo. Through simple yet effective enhancements, the project fosters a stronger connection between architecture, public space, and the community.