type
Competition
Individual
Christian Cueva
Duration
2 Months
Date
Spring 2024
Problem
Parkside faced economic decline and demographic shifts that led to deterioration of historic homes and community fabric.
Solution
Unearthed is a transformative community library project that repurposes abandoned rail materials from Belmont Charter High School's backyard into a vibrant cultural space. The initiative actively involves community members in creating custom earth blocks from excavated soil, while aiming to foster neighborhood revitalization and preserve local history.
My Role
As the architectural designer for the competition, I analyzed urban and environmental research, developed conceptual sketches and building prototypes, created 3D models and renderings, and crafted physical models—all while applying creative design thinking.
01 Research
Overview
The Unearthed project emerged from partnerships between Parkside community groups, PennDesign, and Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation, to address neighborhood revitalization needs. Through comprehensive research and community input, the project aims to transform abandoned rail infrastructure into a sustainable library space while preserving local history and promoting environmental stewardship through initiatives like custom earth block creation and community greening efforts.
Existing Site
Nearby and onsite abandoned rail yard and parking lot at Belmont Charter High School's backyard presented significant challenges, including an underutilized lot area, neglected infrastructure, and a disconnect from the surrounding community. These site conditions, rather than being viewed as obstacles, became opportunities for transformation through sustainable design strategies like soil remediation, material recycling, and the creation of new community connections.
Trollies
Trolley lines have been an integral part of Philadelphia's transportation network
Rail Lines
Historic rail infrastructure buried beneath Belmont Charter High School grounds
Underutilized
Current parking lot behind Belmont High School serves limited purpose with community potential.
Disconnect
Fencing around parking lot creates physical barrier and unwelcoming feel to educational area.
1910 Parkside Rail Lines
The Unearthed project reimagines the historic rail infrastructure of Parkside by transforming abandoned rail line materials from Belmont Charter High School's backyard as far back as 1910 into a vibrant cultural space. This adaptive reuse initiative emphasizes sustainability and community engagement through the creation of custom earth blocks from excavated soil, connecting the neighborhood's industrial past with its sustainable future.
Environmental Analysis
The project transforms abandoned rail line materials from Belmont Charter High School's backyard into a sustainable community space, while engaging local residents in creating custom earth blocks from excavated soil. The initiative aligns with broader neighborhood sustainability goals, including community greening efforts that connect East Parkside with West Fairmount Park through native plant installations and the creation of greenways.
02 Sketching
Initial Sketches
The sketching process for Unearthed incorporates circulation patterns inspired by the historic rail tracks, creating dynamic pathways that connect various spaces while preserving the site's industrial heritage. The design development explores both micro-scale interventions, such as intimate reading nooks and community gathering spaces, and macro-scale considerations like building orientation and site integration with the surrounding neighborhood.
Cut and Fill Evolution
Unearth’s cut and fill evolution begins with the careful excavation of an existing parking space to reveal historic train tracks buried beneath, preserving these industrial artifacts as meaningful elements of the site's transformation. Through community participation in the excavation and earth block creation process, the project gradually evolves from an underutilized parking area into a vibrant library space that honors both the site's railway heritage and its future as a community hub.
03 Prototyping
Rail Line Morphology
Steel rails and wooden ties unearthed from the site are carefully studied and reimagined through various sketching exercises to create innovative architectural elements that honor the site's industrial heritage. These salvaged materials are explored in different combinations and arrangements to inform the design of structural components, spatial dividers, spacial areas, and decorative features able to define the library's unique character while maintaining a connection to its railway past.
04 Framework
Site Construction Phasing
The site construction process begins with an assessment of existing conditions and implementation of enhanced pedestrian crossings and traffic adjustments, followed by the installation of sustainable stormwater planters able to support the site's green infrastructure. The transformation continues with the careful excavation and morphological adaptation of rail line elements, culminating in the strategic distribution of landscape features integrating the library seamlessly with its surrounding academic and residential context.
Unearthed Site Plan
The Unearthed site uses salvaged rail materials and sustainable design elements to create intuitive circulation paths that guide visitors through the library's various spaces, including reading areas, community gathering spots, and outdoor learning environments. The design emphasizes fluid movement between indoor and outdoor spaces while maintaining strong connections to both the adjacent school grounds and the surrounding neighborhood context.
Site Material Relationships
The Unearthed library features earth block walls that double as bookshelves, with varied terrain creating dynamic spaces at different levels. Repurposed rail materials guide circulation and form the roof structure, unifying the design while honoring the site's industrial past.
05 Implementation
The Unearthed Library
The aerial of the Unearthed library's organic form emerges from the landscape, with salvaged rail materials and earthen elements creating fluid lines that honor the site's industrial heritage while establishing a new architectural identity. The aerial perspective reveals how the building seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, transforming from a structured architectural form into a dynamic urban landscape that connects with the neighborhood's existing fabric.
Development Flex Library
Problem:
Underutilized space in school backyard.
Abandoned rail infrastructure.
Limited community gathering spaces.
Disconnect between school and neighborhood.
Solution:
Flexible library design that adapts to multiple uses.
Sustainable repurposing of rail materials.
Creation of community-engaged spaces.
Integration of indoor-outdoor learning areas.
Implementation of custom earth block construction.
Development Inside Outside
Problem:
Disconnect between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Underutilized terrain variations.
Need for cohesive material integration.
Limited natural lighting and flow.
Solution:
Seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces.
Strategic use of elevated and sunken areas.
Rammed earth walls doubling as bookshelves.
Repurposed rail lines and ties as roof structure.
Natural lighting integration through thoughtful design.
Development Heritage Linkage
Problem:
Abandoned rail infrastructure deteriorating.
Loss of historical industrial character.
Disconnection from site's heritage.
Unused industrial materials.
Solution:
Repurposing rail materials as architectural elements.
Incorporating historic tracks into design features.
Creating displays that showcase industrial history.
Using salvaged wood ties and steel rails in construction.
Preserving and highlighting original rail elements.
Limitless Learning
Unearthed captures a transformative vision by using the site's industrial heritage—repurposed rail materials and sustainable design—to create an uplifting space appearing to float against Philadelphia's skyline, symbolizing the boundless potential of education and community growth. The inspiring landmark for limitless learning bridges Parkside's industrial heritage with its promising future, empowering local youth and residents to soar beyond traditional boundaries.
Last Thoughts and Next Steps
Impacts & Results
Created a sustainable community library from abandoned infrastructure.
Established new connections between school and neighborhood.
Transformed underutilized space into vibrant cultural center.
Preserved and celebrated local industrial heritage.
Lessons Learned
Integration of sustainable materials requires careful planning.
Community engagement is crucial for project success.
Balance between preservation and innovation is key.
Flexible design enables multiple use cases.
Future Opportunities
Expand programming for youth education.
Develop additional community partnerships.
Create model for similar adaptive reuse projects.
Implement more sustainable technologies.
Personal Growth
Enhanced understanding of sustainable design practices.
Improved community engagement skills.
Developed expertise in adaptive reuse strategies.
Strengthened project management capabilities.