RIDGE
Dallas, Texas
32.871559°, -96.762569°
Studio: Graduate Architectural Design III
Professor: Sam Callahan
Typology: Mixed-Use Residential
Construction: Mass Timber
CONCEPTUALIZATION
Ridges manifest in diverse forms, embodying spaces where lines and edges converge. Historically, communities worldwide have navigated the undulating terrain of ridges in both personal lives and the broader socioeconomic landscape. Transforming the conventional notion of ridges, RIDGE in Vickery Meadows transcends into a unifying force, evolving into a social nexus. Conceptualizing community building as the cornerstone, RIDGE orchestrates a design that seamlessly intertwines with the multifaceted fabric of Vickery Meadows. The reinvigoration of the site, coupled with humanity’s intrinsic connection to the natural environment, converges to create an equitable, secure, and sustainable space for all.
Similarly to the distinct ridges in fingerprints that define individual identity, RIDGE maintains its unique character through a perforated facade. This design not only introduces a dynamic interplay of light but also guides movement and connectivity across its campus. Within the intricacies of the perforations and spread throughout the site, trees and indigenous greenery reclaim their place, fostering communal gatherings. RIDGE transcends the conventional role of supportive housing, morphing into a space of vibrant biophilic connections. Communal and retail spaces are strategically positioned to channel focus toward the environment, whether through the panoramic views from the jewel box's viewing deck or the sustenance derived from the neighborhood market sustained by the communal garden. All of these elements find support in a sustainably sourced mass timber structural system.
