Design Development - Basic Ideas of 'Showcase'

Concept - Art Centre

I have decided to go with the art centre concept and the reason being that, the area around the canal felt like it got "abandoned" after the industrials withdraw, and communities are not happy with that. From the tour videos, heaps of street arts and graffiti can be seen and with the number of artists increasing, it is like voices wanted to be heard.

Community Change

Looking at the maps and all the research leads me to 2 conclusions:

• Abandoned industrial building to art gallery - symbolise the change of focus in the community.
• Toxic canal to green oasis - symbolise the value change in community, from economy to sustainability.

So my concept is 'Showcase' Gowanus Canal, redefine Gowanus through art and nature.  Let the abandoned building become a urban oasis, decorated by nature and the voices of communities (arts).  By planting and decorating the space, it gives the place meanings and the community a sense of ownership (read it in 'place' by Tim Cresswell).

Moodboards

Abandoned Buildings Turned Into Oasis

When Street Art Meets Nature

Reference
http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/File:Abandoned-Building-3.jpg
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200837.html
https://urbexzone.wordpress.com/category/sao-tome-and-principe/
https://www.schuminweb.com/category/places/afton-mountain/feed/
https://elmundosegunfrank.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/green-graffiti/
http://www.graffitizen.com/g/graffiti-caravan-art-gallery/nature-painted-caravan-7737/
http://www.graffiti.org/lunar_ycp/lunar_2.html
http://onebigphoto.com/when-graffiti-meets-nature/