Conceptual Ideation
Reverie is a project that explores how architecture can address challenges, specifically the housing shortage in Emporia, KS while celebrating the city’s cultural heritage and envisioning its future needs. The design responds to Emporia's strengths, its grid-based layout and cultural identity, while addressing its weaknesses, including a declining population and lack of diverse housing. Opportunities for communal spaces and green infrastructure are incorporated to enhance sustainability and community bonds, while potential threats like environmental challenges are mitigated through thoughtful design choices.
Approach
Community Gardens
Threshold
Moment
Living
The design integrates modularity, vegetation, and dynamic spatial forms. Starting with a 6'x6' grid rotated at 45 degrees, the project develops four spatial pockets that rise and break apart as they ascend, creating a progression from dense, communal ground floors to more open, private upper levels. The housing units range from studios to three-bedroom apartments, designed with flexibility to accommodate diverse family structures. Community gardens, open spaces, and alleyways connect the project to Emporia’s urban fabric, while green roofs and terraces foster moments of reflection and belonging. The design balances public and private realms, creating a layered user experience that evokes curiosity, connection, and growth. Ultimately, Emporia Reclaimed bridges the city’s past and present to build a sustainable, inclusive future that reflects its evolving identity.
