The Nexus

April 2024

Comprehensive Design Studio

Professor Lori Ferriss

"The Nexus" is the result of a semester-long exploration of adaptive reuse of the in Upham's Corner, a neighborhood currently experiencing the effects of historic disinvestment and neglect. The project is a culmination of knowledge and skills gained from attaining an undergraduate degree at Northeastern University and was created in collaboration with studio partner Gavin Gershman. All images shown were produced by both me and Gavin.

The project was created following the guidelines set by the AIA's Framework for Design Excellence. The following descriptions touch on the ten principles of good design.

1. Site and Concept

Respecting the historical significance of the Leon Electric Building, the proposed redevelopment prioritizes the preservation of its structural integrity and character. The design introduces green landscapes to the historic warehouse and brownfield site, integrating ecological restoration into the urban fabric. The project is structured around a central axis that guides the transformation of the site. This axis divides the space into two buildings with distinct programs while a meandering pedestrian pathway weaves through wetland and upland terrain, enhancing accessibility and ecological resilience.

Level 2 floor plan created using Revit and Illustrator. Level 2 is shown as the main floor plan due to the introduced sloping landscape, leading to main entrances to lobbies on the second floor.

2. Design Strategy

The design is centered on creating a vital commuter corridor that links the Upham’s Corner commuter rail station to the downtown district. This connection fosters economic revitalization and cultural enrichment by improving pedestrian and transit access. To further enhance community engagement, the design includes retail and café spaces, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and supporting a vibrant mixed-use environment.

3. Sustainability and Materiality

The project integrates passive design strategies to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Cross ventilation and daylighting are achieved through strategic facade and floor slab cuts, minimizing the need for artificial heating and cooling. Geothermal wells and photovoltaic panels are incorporated to improve energy efficiency, striving to achieve a low energy use intensity (EUI) in alignment with local, national, and global sustainability goals.

Material reuse is a key component of the project’s sustainability approach. Excess brick from the site is repurposed for hardscaping elements, reducing waste while maintaining the site’s historic character. Efficient mechanical energy systems, including photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps, optimize long-term operational savings and minimize construction costs.

Facades are treated differently based on both the historic structure and material and new function of each building:

The facade of the cultural arts building is an overcoat, providing an unbroken insulating thermal layer with a wood veneer over the existing concrete. The concrete is strategically cut to create windows, and reused throughout the site's landscape.

The existing facade of the residential building is replaced with an insulated thermal inner layer and a new brick outer layer between concrete columns and beams. Extracted original brick is used throughout the landscape for gabion retaining walls.