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A.07 Summer Thesis Investigation

  • May 1, 2025
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 30, 2025


Investigative Problem:

Quincy, Florida is experiencing a growing number of abandoned and underutilized commercial buildings that contribute to urban decay, community disconnection, and economic stagnation. These vacant structures, once vital nodes of commerce and interaction, now stand as physical reminders of disinvestment and a lack of sustainable development strategies. Despite their potential for reinvention, there is currently no cohesive framework for their adaptive reuse that aligns with local cultural memory, community needs, and environmental responsibility.


Corresponding Literature:



Goals:

  1. Deepen understanding of adaptive reuse, heritage design, and psychological strategies in architecture to inform spaces that evoke safety, comfort, community, and joy.
  2. Reconnect with Quincy’s physical and cultural landscape through historical research, site observation, and community engagement to identify the city’s unspoken needs.
  3. Develop human-centric design skills at the urban scale by revitalizing underutilized commercial spaces into meaningful, community-rooted environments.




Over the summer, I will begin my thesis investigation by deepening my understanding of the key themes that shape my project. I plan to gather and study literature related to adaptive reuse, architectural heritage, evoking memory through design, and the psychological impact of space. These areas of research are essential, as they will equip me with the knowledge needed to create environments that align with my thesis goals.

My design aims to evoke feelings of safety, comfort, community, and joy. To achieve this, I must explore literature that addresses emotional and psychological responses to space, as well as frameworks for culturally grounded, human-centric design. At the same time, I intend to reconnect with my hometown of Quincy—observing both active and inactive spaces, revisiting its familiar and forgotten corners, and gaining insight into the city’s layered identity.

I will also research the city’s history more thoroughly and engage with older residents to uncover stories and details that may not be recorded in written archives. This process will help me lay a foundation for understanding what the community truly needs and how design can best serve it.

Through this thesis, I hope to grow as a designer—expanding my expertise in heritage architecture, deepening my understanding of psychological spatial strategies, and honing my ability to create spaces that center people first. These goals are deeply tied to my personal design philosophy: to use architecture as a tool to improve lives and uplift communities. I will be working at the urban scale, with a focus on revitalizing Quincy’s heart through the adaptive reuse of its underutilized commercial spaces.




 
 
 

A.06 Defining"Innovation"

  • Apr 29, 2025
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Architecture has more commonly been defined through a narrow lens of walls, floors, structure, and enclosure. The foundation of architecture has also been rooted in Eurocentric ideals of what is aesthetically pleasing and socially acceptable. Through the works presented throughout this semester, we were able to view architecture in a broader way. The works of Jennifer Newsom (Double Consciousness), Felecia Davis (The Dreadlock Series), and Vernelle Noel (The Infinite Line Active-Bending Pavilion) defines innovation not solely as a technological advancement or formal originality, but through the integration of Black cultural practices, spatial experiences, and alternative material strategies. They demonstrate that integration of identity and memory can be a strong driver of architectural innovation.

In my undergraduate education, architectural innovation has more commonly been defined as technological advancement and original ideas. We were taught the Eurocentric foundational architectural ideals for what is considered "good design" with little emphasis on the social, cultural, or political dimensions of space. This semester’s exploration of projects from the guest lecturers, however, has expanded my understanding of architectural innovation. I now recognize that innovation is not only about advancing technology or producing new forms but it can also stem from the desire to advocate for marginalized voices, weaving cultural memory into the very fabric of design.

This idea of "weaving cultural memory into the fabric of design" is where my thesis project originated from. Within my thesis investigation, I'd like to find a way to use architecture as a tool for healing, memory, and empowerment by reclaiming abandoned spaces and reimagining them through the lens of community identity and cultural resilience. I aim to create spaces that do not simply serve functional needs, but that also honor lived experiences, restore a sense of belonging, and challenge traditional narratives about whose stories are preserved in the built environment. I feel that this theme of reclaiming narrative and re-centering marginalized identities was in constant rotation among the lecture works this semester. If you look specifically at Jennifer Newsom's "Double Consciousness", this project places the Black psychological experience of space at the center of the design process. Looking to Felicia Davis's "Dreadlock Series", this project centers Black cultural practices by translating the aesthetics and techniques of Black hair into architectural forms. The ways in which these designers integrate Black culture into the fabric of architectural innovation has catalyzed my shift in understanding the infinite possibilities regarding my architectural thesis.
 
 
 

A.05 Thesis Topic Refined

  • Apr 6, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 30, 2025


Patchwork Futures: A Modular Framework for the Adaptive Reuse of Abandoned Commercial Spaces in Quincy, Florida






Potential Gaps

I may not be able to enter or fully document the interiors of abandoned plazas due to safety issues, ownership restrictions, or lack of records.
Scholarly Resource:

This paper critically examines the rise of adaptive reuse scholarship over the past two decades, focusing on the epistemology that has emerged in this field. It discusses the challenges and methodologies associated with repurposing heritage buildings, including strategies to assess and document structures when direct access is restricted.


Official records for some older commercial buildings may be missing, especially in under-documented or historically Black neighborhoods.

Scholarly Resource:


This systematic review explores factors used to assess the success of heritage adaptive reuse projects. It emphasizes the importance of thorough historical research and documentation, offering methodologies to navigate incomplete or missing historical data.



Translating emotional and cultural memory into architectural form, space, and material can be conceptually difficult and hard to validate.

Scholarly Resource:


This chapter delves into how historic architecture enables forms of collective memory. Drawing from John Ruskin's ideas, it argues that architectural forms can represent the past, providing insights into integrating cultural memory within design practices.



Getting consistent or deep engagement from residents, especially those affected by trauma or distrust, may be difficult within my timeline.

Scholarly Resource:

This paper discusses the role of community engagement in architectural education, highlighting frameworks for political design where architecture is developed collaboratively with communities. It addresses challenges and strategies for effective community participation.



“Modular design” can mean many things—from prefabricated units to interchangeable spatial elements. My statement needs clarity.

Scholarly Resource:

This dissertation proposes a concept combining hybrid modular construction with adaptive reuse. It discusses inserting volumetric modular spaces into existing structures, offering insights into defining and implementing modular design in architectural projects.



Quincy is a small town with limited funding for architectural interventions.

Scholarly Resource:


This study investigates the viability of adaptive reuse for commercial buildings and its impact on sustainability. It provides insights into balancing ambitious design goals with economic feasibility, emphasizing the importance of aligning architectural innovation with financial and environmental considerations.


It might be hard to make physically disconnected buildings feel like part of the same architectural story.

Scholarly Resource:

This article discusses how adaptive reuse serves as a bridge between preserving historical structures and meeting modern architectural needs. It highlights strategies for creating cohesive narratives across multiple sites, ensuring that scattered adaptive reuse projects contribute to a unified urban fabric.

 
 
 
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