Parakeet Hall

Spring 2025

How do we design for people facing gentrification? Why are gentrification and third-place communities relevant to us? Why do we cater to college students?  


Purpose

This group project explores how design can respond to the effects of gentrification and the lack of third-place communities (spaces outside home and work that encourage social interaction), especially for college students facing financial and social constraints.

Written Theory

The team highlights how urban design can foster inclusivity, accessibility, and psychological well-being. By integrating community functions like cafes, parks, and libraries into living spaces, students and gentrified communities can reconnect socially, emotionally, and economically.

Spatial Program

  1. Dormitory Apartments (2–3 person units with private baths).

  2. Community Kitchen & Outdoor Spaces – foster interaction and healthy routines.

  3. Study Areas – lounges and a cat cafe to support mental health and focus.

  4. Dining Options – on-site restaurant and convenience store to support walkability and student needs.

  5. Entertainment – rooftop cinema/event space for leisure and gathering.

  6. Fitness - a gym space offered to college students to increase healthy routines.

  7. Support Spaces -Janitor’s closet, mechanical, electrical, and data rooms to meet facility needs.

PROJECT GOALS

This project answers the prompt, "How would you change the world through design?", by showing how thoughtfully designed, inclusive, and multifunctional spaces can combat the social and economic pressures of gentrification, helping people thrive, not just survive.

Key Issues

  • Gentrification pushes out residents and erodes community culture.

  • Rising rent and inflation increase college student debt.

  • Limited access to community spaces and transportation leads to isolation and mental health issues.

Proposed Solutions

  • Create mixed-use developments combining housing, businesses, and public spaces.

  • Build affordable dormitory-style housing with community areas.

  • Encourage third-place theory: design for living, working, and socializing.

  • Promote walkability and reduce reliance on transportation.

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION

Research & Concept Development

  • Conducted research on gentrification, focusing on its economic and psychological impacts on marginalized communities.

  • Researched cat cafes as a mental health-supportive third-place model, integrating this into our program as a unique and functional communal space.

  • Contributed to the development of our main themes, including community-based design, affordability, and third-place theory.

  • Collaborated on the concept narrative, aligning our design with social and economic needs resulting from gentrification.

PROGRAMING & SPATIAL PLANNING

  • Assisted in creating the space program, determining the functions and square footage needed to meet the goals of the project.

  • Contributed to the space planning and layout of the building, ensuring flow, accessibility, and the integration of community-oriented functions.

  • Participated in developing the exterior design, supporting the overall massing, materiality, and public engagement with the structure.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

  • Led the design of the cat café, including spatial layout, user experience, and finishes, focusing on well-being, comfort, and interaction.

  • Designed the lobby space, including circulation, seating, finish selections, and usage of the space.

  • Produced key visual deliverables for the presentation, including:

    • Rendered/Colored Floor Plans for the cat café, lobby, and gym space.

    • Perspective Renderings illustrating my assigned areas.

    • Diagrams and Concept Collages to communicate the design process and thematic development.

    • Furniture, Fixtures, Finishes, and Materials Board, integrated into the final presentation to support our concept visually and texturally.

    • Co-authored the Written Concept Statement.

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

Venturing into tangled vines,

Canopies of unfamiliarity,

Flights of radiant jungled messengers,

That sing in harmonic tunes

CAT CAFE COLLAGE

DORM ROOM COLLAGE

EXTERIOR DESIGN

GROUND FLOOR - SPACE PLAN

GROUND FLOOR - RENDERED FURNISHED FLOOR PLAN

CAT CAFE - RENDERED FURNISHED FLOOR PLAN

ORDERING COUNTER

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

LANZ CABINETS - OAK NATURAL

INTERFACE - CROSSROADS STEPPING STONE 4.5 mm LVT

TILE CLUB - URSA PINK STAR PORCELAIN TILE

TILE CLUB - GROOVE PINK GLOSS CERAMIC SUBWAY TILE

AUDREY LANE - PRETTY KITTY PORCELAIN TILE

SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT - GREAT GREEN

KITCHEN

THATCH LOOK ROOF

WALNUT COUNTERTOP

BOOTH SEATING

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

PHOTO WALL - EXOTIC JUNGLE - PINK

INTERFACE - CROSSROADS STEPPING STONE 4.5 mm LVT

BELLA DURA UPHOLSTERY - TIKI ANIMAL PATTERN CHEETAH

WOLF GORDON UPHOLSTERY - MESQUITE - PISTASHIO

GLOW FORGE - WALNUT VENEER

LITFAD - ROUND PENDANT LIGHTING - LIGHT DARK BLACK CEILING PLANT

STUDIO ATKINSON -OSWALD DINING CHAIR

MUSKHANE - FULLMOON CEILING LAMP

INTERACTIVE SEATING WITH CATS

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

PHOTO WALL - EXOTIC JUNGLE - PINK

WALLLMUR -WATERCOLOR COLORFUL - TROPICAL LEAF MURAL

SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT - INLAND

CRATE & BARREL - LIA PENDANT LIGHT WITH SHADE

WOLF GORDON WC - PURR - PUTTY

BELLA DURA UPHOLSTERY - TIKI ANIMAL PATTERN CHEETAH

GLOW FORGE - WALNUT VENEER

BLU DOT - EASY DINING TABLE

REJUVENTATION - BRITTON 22" ROUND OTTOMAN

WOLF GORDON UPHOLSTERY -MESQUITE - PISTASHIO

WOLF GORDON WC - LYRA - ECRU

LITFAD - ROUND PENDANT LIGHTING - LIGHT DARK BLACK CEILING PLANT

WOLF GORDON WC - LYRA TEA ROSE

TILE CLUB - GROOVE PINK GLOSS CERAMIC SUBWAY TILE

TILE CLUB - SUMMER GOLD REAL TERRAZZO

MUSKHANE - FULLMOON CEILING LAMP

TILE CLUB - REKINDLE - TERRACOTTA - SQUARE

TILE CLUB- ETERICA WHITE TRAVERTINE

WOLF GORDON UPHOLSTERY - MESQUITE - RAZZAMATAZZ

INDOOR - OUTDOOR SEATING

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

WALLISM - RAINFOREST

EDWARD MARTIN - LEONA CHECKERBOARD MATTE - CALACATTA AND AMANI BRONZE

TILE CLUB- ETERICA WHITE TRAVERTINE

SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT - WHITE HERON

TILE CLUB - SUMMER GOLD REAL TERRAZZO

HOMETOWN EVOLUTION INC. - E26 COMMERCIAL STRING LIGHTS SET

INDUSTRY WEST - TATE ARMCHAIR - LEMONADE

FLASH FURNITURE - BLACK LAMINATE TABLE TOP

INDUSTRY WEST -TATE ARMCHAIR - AVOCADO TOAST

LOBBY - RENDERED FURNISHED FLOOR PLAN

ENTRANCE

LIBRARY & LOUNGE

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

BELARTE STUDIO - NATURAL SHAPES GREEN

SHAW CONTRACT - BOTAN TILE - KOI

GLOW FORGE - WALNUT VENEER

ACOUFELT - TUMERIC

ARTICLE - CULA OAK COMPUTER DESK

ICONS OF MANHATTAN - PREMIUM STYLE - RIBBED, MEDIUM BROWN

WEST ELM - STEELCASE WILLOW LOUNGE CHAIR

ACOUFELT - WHEAT

WALLS REPUBLIC - PINK PAISLEY ALL OVER TROPICAL

SHAW CONTRACT - BOTAN TILE - BAMBOO

MAHARAM - PROVINCE - REVELRY

ANDREU WORLD - EXTRA CONFERENCE

ACOUFELT - FRAMELESS FRAMEWORK CEILING GRID - WHEAT

GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL - INTERION LEATHER LOVESEAT BLACK

SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT - KENDAL GREEN

ACOUFELT - FLAMINGO

ALBANY PARK - KOVA L-SHAPE - CUSTOM COLOR

SKOPOS - MANAUS–BA26042

STUDY ROOMS

LIBRARY & LOUNGE

SECOND FLOOR - SPACE PLAN

SECOND FLOOR - RENDERED FURNISHED FLOOR PLAN

MATERIALS, FIXTURES, AND FINISHES

TILE BAR - ANGELA HARRIS WILDER SPRING LEAVES MURAL MATTE TILE

WOLF GORDON WALLCOVERING - TURIN - MINERAL

ECORE ATHLETICS - RAGETURF ULTRATILE

SHAW FLOORS - OAK CREST - WATERBURY CREAM

ECORE ATHLETICS - PERFORMANCE MOTIVATE PLUS - CHARCOAL

CEDARBROOK SAUNA + STEAM - 6ft 1×4 T&G CEDAR PANELING BUNDLE

ROCK CLIMBING WALL

BEDROSIAN’S TILE & STONE - SENSI ROMA MATTE R11 -CREAM

Next
Next

Standley Middle School