Cornell University /  FA23 / NOMAS Design Competition // IMANI DAY 
SUZANNE LETTIERI //  GROUP PROJECT / DESIGN LEAD // ‘COSTURA’

Imagine a landscape where the past and present converge in a harmonious tapestry—a landscape where healing, community, and growth transcends the boundaries of time and space. ‘Reclaiming Albina’s History: Carving as a Catalyst for Healing’ aims to cross boundaries by mending the fractures of the site’s history and revitalizing Albina’s community. Five healing pillars serve as the foundation of the design: Medical care, communal space activation, home and retail connection, healthy living, and rainwater collection. The concept of healing is very important to the project. Therefore, the design process started by analyzing both the past and present, as can be seen in this collage drawing. The goal was to look for moments of intersection where the past and present can be restitched to foster a sense of vibrancy, engagement, and hospitality. This restitching happens through means of carved communal niches. Two types of carvings occur, the one at a smaller scale, which happens sectionally, and the other at a larger scale that establishes main circulation paths. Together, they become a central aspect to the project. Here, a cultural hub comes to life, resonating with the laughter of children running around, the vivid strokes of artists’ work, and the heartfelt narratives of community members as they storytell their experiences through different means.after a long work week.

COSTURA // STITCHING