A.07 Summer Thesis Investigation

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:

• "Adaptive Reuse of Heritage Buildings: A Systematic Literature Review" [UNREAD}

   Langston, C., Wong, F. K. W., Hui, E. C. M., & Shen, L. Y. (2023). Adaptive reuse of heritage buildings: A systematic literature review. Cities, 132, 104031.

   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397523001868

• "Architecture and Cultural Memory" [UNREAD]

   Ricoeur, P. (2004). Architecture and cultural memory. In Memory, History, Forgetting (pp. 383–422). University of Chicago Press.

   https://academic.oup.com/book/45673/chapter/398057307

• "Adaptive Reuse and Sustainability of Commercial Buildings" [UNREAD]

   Bullen, P. A., & Love, P. E. D. (2011). Adaptive reuse and sustainability of commercial buildings. Facilities, 29(3/4), 118–136.

   https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235264539_Adaptive_reuse_and_sustainability_of_commercial_buildings

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.