Cultural Sustainability in Architecture: A Reinterpretation of Kensington's Narrative

Author

• Madeline Elizabeth Knoll

Files

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Architecture

Faculty Advisor

Regin Schwaen

Studio Coordinator

Stephen Wischer

Faculty Chair

Susan Kliman

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

Kensington is often defined by a narrative of crisis and neglect, yet beneath this surface lies a resilient, creative community. This thesis reframes Kensington through cultural sustainability, envisioning the neighborhood as a mosaic of identities shaped by reflection, learning, and growth. The architecture becomes a living palimpsest, where history and resilience converge. Strategies like cross-cultural variation, social design, place attachment, and well-being inform every spatial and programmatic decision. The Kensington Cultural Center is conceived as a mosaic, with each space expressing spirit and identity, and connective paths binding the whole. Materials reference the area’s industrial past, while the carved exterior and layered interiors reflect a journey from hardship to belonging. Exhibition galleries, gathering spaces, and programs like the food hall and language library mirror the neighborhood’s diversity, making the center a platform for storytelling, empowerment, and transformation.

Recommended Citation

Knoll, Madeline Elizabeth, "Cultural Sustainability in Architecture: A Reinterpretation of Kensington's Narrative" (2025). Architecture Theses. 34.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/34