Reweaving the Neighborhood Fabric: How Modular Housing Can Build Affordable and Dignified Communities, AIA Milwaukee’s initiative celebrating the 150th anniversary of the AIA.
EXQUISITELY DESIGNED, AFFORDABLE & SUSTAINABLE
As part of the AIA’s 150th anniversary celebration, architects and communities in Wisconsin are working together to find ways of designing a better future. This initiative seeks to bring exquisitely designed, affordable, sustainable, and accessible modular infill housing to three neighborhoods in the largest population centers of southeastern Wisconsin, where such dignified housing has become extremely scarce. With 2,000 vacant residential lots in Milwaukee alone, a sense of community in many neighborhoods struggles to take root. Gaps in the fabric become lifeless no man’s land, perpetuating further disinvestment and blight. We aim to reweave these neighborhoods, planting the gaps with real vitality.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING
Milwaukee’s Merrill Park Neighborhood and Racine’s Towerview Neighborhood will each receive housing units intended as catalysts for future infill units in the same neighborhoods, knitting them together one by one. The new housing in Milwaukee will also include a Community Center. This neighborhood hub will be the place for design and construction meetings for future housing opportunities, other pro-bono architectural services, as well as workshops and functions to benefit and inspire the community. Everything from CPR training to first-time homebuyer consultations and job skills seminars will take place. All age groups will be represented. Coordinating the programs will be the Merrill Park Neighborhood Association whose office will be located here. Additionally, the Community Center will serves as the ‘storefront’ office for AIA Milwaukee. Our regional chapter remains one of the largest un-staffed components in the United States. By creating an integrated ‘storefront’ and meeting space, we endeavor to raise the profile of AIA architects as advocates for the community.
BLUEPRINT FOR AMERICA
The Blueprint for America is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that marked the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The Blueprint program was created to offer citizens in communities across America an opportunity to celebrate their community heritage, address emerging architectural challenges and trends, and find their voices to help make their vision real for beautiful, safe and livable communities.
REWEAVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD FABRIC PUBLICATION
To view AIA Milwaukee's efforts in full, please feel free to download the recently finished publication.
ENTIRE BOOK
Screen Resolution Book >> 
AIA 150 Reweaving Book - Screen Resolution (8.05 MB)
BY CHAPTER
I >> Introduction
Chapter 1 >> Indentifying a Need
Chapter 2 >> Guiding Principles
Chapter 3 >> Guiding Principles
Chapter 4 >> Studio
Chapter 5 >> Analysis
Chapter 6 >> Studio Work > Team FOM // Team RHSC // Team Skeam
Chapter 7 >> Modular
Chapter 8 >> Fitting In
Chapter 9 >> Final Designs
Chapter 10 >> Advocacy
Chapter 11 >> Lessons Learned
Chapter 12 >> Moving Forward
ORDER A PRINTED COPY
To order a full color printed version of the book, please email John Holz, AIA >> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . An order form will be posted later this summer.
LINKS
Student-built website >>
http://www.aia150.studioindigenous.com/
AIA Wisconsin >>
http://www.aiaw.org/members/news/150SE.shtml
AIA NATIONAL >>
http://www.aia150.org/bl_150_aia_milwaukee.php
CONTACT
John Holz, AIA
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
