02 THE WAY HOME: STAIRWAY TO LIVABILITY
05/2024
Academic Work
Type: Residential & Landscape
& Interior Design
Collaborator: Ying Wang
Location: Ann Arbor, USA
In studio "Collectives," we challenge the isolation of homes, recognizing them as spaces of negotiation among individuals and broader publics. Housing reflects societal values and social interaction. Ann Arbor, with 123,000 residents, including some University of Michigan students, faces rising housing costs, decreased diversity, and urban sprawl, challenging its progressive reputation and climate commitments. The city’s charming, walkable downtown contrasts with its surrounding car-dependent culture.
Our sdutio name, "Upzone," utilizes the new TC1 (Transit Corridor) Zoning Ordinance along West Stadium Boulevard to propose dense, mixed-use neighborhoods, shared resources, and collective life. We address affordable, equitable housing, changing demographics, and restructuring domestic economics and transit to combat climate change. Central to our approach is integrating public courtyards to foster community and co-living.
We aim to revive communal gathering in staircases, transforming them from mere vertical transit spaces into social hubs. Staircases will serve as transitional spaces between city life and home, hosting activities typically confined within homes, enhancing social engagement. Our project explores innovative housing typologies, sustainable construction methods, and diverse programming to create inclusive, sustainable neighborhoods that reflect Ann Arbor’s evolving needs while promoting environmental sustainability and social cohesion.
Overall View
Corridor View
Market View
Interior Views
Floor 03 Plan
Floor 02 Plan
Construction Section
Construction Details
Section 01
Section 02
Unit 1 1 Diagram
Unit 02 Diagram
Unit 03 Diagram
Axno
Unit Analysis
Site Analysis
Physical Model