URBAN STUDIO STUDENTS DESIGN CITY PERFORMANCE SPACE Students challenged to address cultural and environmental issues in Harrisburg HACC students Hans Landenberger, Allison Deibert and Johannes Boland display their architectural models for a performance space in Harrisburg. The students developed the models as part of a HACC Architectural Design III course.   (Harrisburg, Pa.) - Three HACC architecture students presented designs for a public performance and gathering space for the City of Harrisburg. According to HACC professor Bruce Quigley, "This project challenges students to address architectural, structural, cultural and environmental issues in the design of a performance space for Harrisburg." Johannes Boland, Hans Landenberger and Allison Deibert developed architectural drawings and designs as part of Quigley's Architectural Design III course. The project, which was not site specific, is part of the goal of the Harrisburg Urban Studio to have architecture students design spaces that improve the city's urban communities. Quigley asked his students to consider a number of elements including history and tradition. He encouraged them to study models in Harrisburg and other Central Pennsylvania communities that have public spaces with band shells, gazebos and other structures designed to accommodate and encourage public gatherings. The student designs were required to include 600 square feet of sheltered performance space, dedicated seating, lawn seating, a backstage area, public restrooms, storage space and a public drinking fountain. The HACC project is part of an effort by the city of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Urban Studio to have architecture students design spaces that can help improve the city's urban communities.   Each student developed unique designs that met the requirements of the course. They also studied issues like accessibility for people with disabilities, blending with the existing environment, and multipurpose use of the facility. Harrisburg Urban Studio Headquarters For the remainder of the fall 2005 semester, the students will focus on designing a headquarters for the Harrisburg Urban Studio. The Urban Studio is currently headquartered on the second-floor of the Harrisburg Transportation Center, but Quigley wanted his students to prepare designs for the future. "One of the intentions of this project is to start discussion about the future of the Harrisburg Urban Studio," Quigley said. "I am also challenging the students to design an aggressive reuse of an urban building." The project is based on a hypothetical situation where the Harrisburg Urban Studio asked the students to renovate the former Gerber building on North Third Street as it's new headquarters and community design center. Quigley asked his students to include space for exhibitions, classes, lectures and studios as well as offices and a library. "For this project I asked the students to develop a functional series of spaces within a set of given limits and constraints," Quigley said. Johannes Boland explains his design for a chair created from sticks and rubber bands. Boland's chair could be used in public spaces in Harrisburg.   The students will need to complete a scale architectural model as well as drawings by early December. The Harrisburg Urban Studio is inspired by Auburn University's famous Rural Studio, a program that provides architectural students with a practical learning experience while enhancing the environment of disadvantaged communities. Mayor Stephen R. Reed initiated the Urban Studio during a live panel discussion aired by WITF in March of 2004. Pennsylvania's leading architecture colleges will send students to study, design and build in the Harrisburg Urban Studio. A number of architects, engineers, contractors and construction products firms are actively supporting the project. For further information contact Nathan Pigott, Hershey Philbin Associates, at npigott@hersheyphilbin.com or 717.975.2148. ###

Back to the Urban Studio Newsroom