In the Anthropocene, humanity's impact on the environment is more amplified than ever, calling for new approaches to urban life and day-to-day interactions. Our parasitic relationship with nature has resulted in a socio-ecological crisis in which we have become subservient to wicked and unsustainable urban systems.
Common Grounds proposed to transform an inhuman highway into a verdant “living matrix” that blurs the lines between human infrastructure and ecological systems. By preserving and repurposing the concrete and steel structures, we tell a story of multiscale transition, framing ambitions of reconciliation within the industrial past.
The Commons harmonizes the beauty of native landscapes with the functionality of cultivated gardens, offering spaces for exploration and relaxation. The design creates opportunities for both quiet and relaxation. The design creates opportunities for both quiet reflection and lively community gathering, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. One experiences notions of parallelism within the entangled moments of ecology and anthropogenic programs. Offering more than just a physical space, Common Grounds catalyzes change, inspiring new models of development rooted in ecological pluralism and symbiotic transitions.
