Common Ground for a mix of communities; students, professionals, and locals
Newark, New Jersey — Mixed-use Residential and Academic Building
In a historic neighborhood, a new mixed-use development makes space for the entire community and celebrates the past, present, and future of the area.
This mixed-use residential development in Newark's James Street Commons harmonizes local history with the needs of students, professionals, and residents. It features a marketplace, makerspace, dormitories, a public garden with a greenhouse, lecture halls, and studios. Preserving the site's heritage, the original 257 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd building houses a marketplace and a garden, acknowledging the former St. Michael's Deli. The project supports modern community enterprises like the Greater Newark Conservancy and the Urban Agriculture Co-op of Newark.
Beginning with a concept collage, this project takes inspiration from the architecture of the neighborhood context. Situated in the James Street Commons neighborhood of Newark, NJ, this mixed-use building incorporates an existing abandoned rowhome into the design of a 5 story academic, residential, and marketplace facility.
Multiple collage diagrams were crafted to embody the rich history and exciting future of the site. The building served three separate users groups, students, working professionals, and local residents, whom all had competing needs. The building aims to articulate the past and futures of these user groups, providing a space for all to co-inhabit for decades to come.
The marketplace and bar on the ground floor include space for local community organizations to gather and rent out the space. Through the glass are a series of architectural stairs leading to various academic and studio spaces in the building. Residents can enter through a separate carded lobby to take the elevator to their dormitories.
Left: Render of Marketplace and Bar.