Architects hired by POAH to work on the Woodlawn Park project receive 2017 Daniel Burnham Award for Planning. Press release by American Institute of Architects
Springfield – The American Institute of Architects 2017 Daniel Burnham Award for Planning was presented for the re-design of Woodlawn Park neighborhood, on October 27, at the Woodlawn Resource Center, 6134 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, in Chicago.
The Woodlawn Park project was led by Catherine Baker, AIA, Principal, Landon Bone Baker Architects, and features one of the first master plans in the country to emphasize streetscape development as a force for neighborhood stabilization and revitalization. A coalition of neighbors, institutions, architects, developers, the Preservation of Affordable Housing organization, along with other community groups and the City of Chicago, have created a working plan that engages a wide gamut of community based stakeholders, partners and participants.
The Master Plan for Woodlawn Park also addresses the imperatives of environmental consciousness in its short-term and long-term vision. Pedestrian-friendly streetscapes with transit- oriented goals, low carbon footprints, and other environmentally sensitive building contributions emphasize Woodlawn Park's commitment to sustainability. The recently completed residential developments are certified at the Platinum level in the LEED for Homes program.
To address the cycles of population decline and disinvestment in the existing Section 8 Grove Pare housing project, which had destabilized the Cottage Grove corridor, which is an important and vital link to the University of Chicago, the plan focused on public transit as a connection to the University of Chicago, and catalyst for future Woodlawn development. In addition to restoring the integrity of the residential blocks, the rehabilitation efforts create healthy living environments through the use of energy efficient design and environmentally-compatible materials.
The AIA Illinois award jury noted the project as an outstanding example of re-envisioning urban places in a comprehensive way that meets all 10 of the American Institute of Architects Principles for Livable Cities.
Within Woodlawn, the Jackson and Burnham units are walk-up, twin housing developments that provide a gateway from public transit access into the new community district. To buffer vehicular traffic, the design employs thoughtful parkway landscaping and raised beds along the sidewalk. The Burnham is a 5-story , 65-unit residential building for seniors, and includes a robust Resource Center to serve the once marginalized community. The Center provides financial literacy training, employment counseling, public benefits screenings, health services, computer learning center, program suite, Town Hall meeting room, and a therapeutic counseling space. With lush native landscaping and generous site elements, the design conveys an immediate and visible contribution to the transformation of the neighborhood into a walkable, livable and activated corridor.
About the Daniel Burnham Award for Planning
The AIA Illinois Honor Award for Planning is named for Daniel Burnham, an architect and urban designer who was the Director of Works for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and created master plans for the development of a number of other major cities. Burnham's legacy is evident at a glance toward Chicago's street wall of skyscrapers, from the Reliance Building to Navy Pier; and in the quote, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood... Make big plans; aim high in hope and work."
About Woodlawn Park
POAH replaced Grove Parc’s distressed and obsolete buildings by creating new and renovated housing on South Cottage Grove Avenue (The Jackson, The Grant and The Burnham buildings). Here POAH has created Woodlawn Park – a mixed-income, mixed-use community that includes family and senior housing plus the future Trianon Lofts and Woodlawn Station and nearly 50 new single-family homes by other developers. More info >
Photos
View photos on Flickr.