With the increasing commitment to sustainable living and with an increasing demand for houses in urban areas, housing design has taken on a new and crucial role in urban planning. Urban design is about making connections between people and places- about utilizing urban form and integrating nature into the built fabric. It draws together the many strands of place, environment, economic viability and social ties to a community’s beauty and identity. Urban design is also greatly shaped by an area’s landscape, engineering, architectural design, development economics, transportation and planning. Together these pieces come together to create a vision for a community that defines its character and its future.
In addition to urban design, New Urbanism is becoming more of a focus around the United States. New Urbanism in short is when cities reclaim urban areas once thought lost. Whether damage had been done to the community through environmental degradation, misguided infrastructure or design that isolated poor classes, cities are now transforming these deteriorating neighborhoods into vibrant, livable areas that are attracting people with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. As cities rebuild, design becomes a critical process- how will the new housing opportunities connect the people to the community in an efficient, exciting, and sustainable way?
University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio has become a capital for innovative healthcare, arts, education, and culture, and the community has put a great deal of focus on constructing housing that connects its residents to the areas vibrancy. A great example of modern, eco-friendly urban design – Circle 118 has become a breath of fresh air on a once dreary corner in the district at Euclid and E. 118 street. Its pedestrian-centric design maximizes outdoor space with attached garages encircling a private courtyard. Smart building design features increase comfort, reduce utility usage, and provide synergy and vibrancy to the community.
In an article by the Plain Dealer, writer Steven Lit quoted Chris Ronayne, director of University Circle Inc., [who] described the location as a formerly "hopeless piece of land," used by UCI as a parking lot. The site was particularly difficult because the Euclid Avenue frontage angles southeast toward the elevated railroad line just to the east of the new apartments. Sitting next to elevated rail lines, the architects at RDL Architects, have designed townhomes that both embrace their urban setting and integrate nature into every aspect of the building process. Not only are these homes extremely green friendly, they are also interesting to the eye. The townhomes are unique for Cleveland- they sport colorful geometric facades accented by blue panels made in Italy and the sawtooth rear facades of the townhouses are painted in bright shades of yellow, green and orange. A “Vitamin D” palate is often quoted. The effect is upbeat and positive and reflects University Circle’s commitment to art and culture.
More modern, sleek design elements include glassy bedrooms on the second floor that beam over sidewalks are trimmed in red-painted metal panels. Double-pane commercial-grade windows in the living rooms and second floor bedrooms of the townhouses admit tons of light but very little sound. When viewed from inside, trains and Health Line buses on Euclid Avenue appear to pass in near silence. The effect is remarkable. The living room area features a sleek, contemporary interior as well. Angled walls are used to enhance a sense of roominess and are filled with eco-friendly materials and appliances. Roof top terraces over look the rail lines as well as Little Italy and University Circle and can be augmented as green roofs as well.
University Circle president Chris Ronayne had the following to say about Circle 118 and its contribution to University Circle living:
“When it comes to University Circle’s Bring Back Euclid Avenue campaign, Circle 118 is everything we hope for on Euclid Avenue. With its pacesetting modern design, the project complements the emergent modern arts district at our eastern gateway. It anchors the new Euclid Corridor project as a transit oriented residential development. It enhances our effort to become an environmentally sustainable neighborhood. And, its signature address makes Circle 118 a five to ten minute walk to our world class universities, hospitals, arts and cultural institutions that make University Circle a premier urban district.”
For More Information please contact Jen Zelko 440.749.0546
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