The Space Between: A Manifesto for Designing Socially Engaged Communities

Author

• Alex Malnaa

Files

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28207

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

URI

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

Abstract

Suburbanization, low-density residential, commercial and civic zones with expansive, under-utilized parking lots have created physical and social distances between people. Each typological zone is segregated from the others with minimal overlap and potential for interplay between the inhabitants. How can architectural insertions inspire a culture to become inclusive and allow people to become more socially engaged as a community? My research of primary literary sources, A New Theory of Urban Design, by Christopher Alexander, and The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging, by Charles H. Vogl, winner of the Nautilus Silver Award in Business & Leadership, and design explorations based on my research are the foundations for my design manifesto. The principles generate forward-looking program typologies to increase density and program overlap which lead to a greater sense of community and communality within the various typological zones. By extrapolating Vogl’s principles from social to design principles and including integral principles from Alexander, the built environment will create spaces and moments where social engagement and meaningful connections between inhabitants can occur.

Recommended Citation

Malnaa, Alex, "The Space Between: A Manifesto for Designing Socially Engaged Communities" (2018). Architecture Theses. 530.
https://digitalcommons.ndsu.edu/architecture-theses/530