During the summer of 2014, I participated in a design/build project with RISD's Desine Lab to construct a public plaza in the economically depressed city of Central Falls, RI. The project's goal was to provide a green space on one of the city's main roadways, built on a lot that originally was intended to become a parking lot.
The project was completed thanks to the tremendous effort of everyone involved, including a group of architecture students from Bogota, Colombia. Since the majority of Central Falls' population is Hispanic (and the majority of those residents are Colombian), I feel the dualinguistic approach of Desine Lab helped ensure that the project listened to the needs of the citizens and responded in a way that factored those needs into a coherent and relevant space.
The work was difficult, but provided me with vital knowledge on construction methods and improved my ability to work within a large group, taking on leadership positions when needed. My main focus was on ensuring the brickwork of the project was handled well, helping with the foundations for the pavillions, helping secure the roof of the smaller pavillion, and working on the trellis walling within the larger pavillion. This work gave me insight into the necessity of exactitude in construction, and the importance of creating socially responsible public work.
All photos were taken by the project's official photographer, Lucas Vasilko