Stripes

In a 21st century culture of online shopping and social media marketing, consumption no longer manifests simply as the purchase of physical goods, but also as the intake of captivating visual and social experiences. STRIPES proposes an urban infrastructure to blur the boundary of community, commerce and public art, rejuvenating the traditional values of the bazaar for an emerging generation of consumers.

STRIPES reconfigures the linear concept of the bazaar typology by deploying a field of multipurpose sculptural structures in a directional grid that accommodates the scattered circulation of the existing metro site without compromising the scenic, colorful perspectives of a traditional arcaded market. The versatility of these structures grants a variety of uses ranging from product displays to urban furniture, allowing vendors to choose their preferred structure based on their needs or arrange themselves by product type according to color. Photovoltaic cells in the drop down ceiling panels power integrated lighting for evening activities including pop-up bars, musical performances, and dancing. Double-story tower elements provide experiential views of these activities and accommodate functional services including bathrooms, storage, and equipments rooms. The field of elements is grounded by three primary, community-oriented programs of an amphitheater, lawn, and urban garden. These amenities continually attract consumers as well as families and tourists, producing a demographically diverse social atmosphere. The resulting product of these conceptual principles is a highly innovative urban intervention that reflects all the social, commercial and aesthetic characteristics of a traditional bazaar while also embodying the dynamism of contemporary consumer culture.

Project done in collaboration with Sarah Ritchey

Awarded Honorable Mention