Design a real community gathering space for Holyoke. In this studio course, five students will study the area near the Holyoke Public Library and develop a concept for a Placita inspired by Puerto Rican and Taíno traditions of gathering, culture, and connection.

Students will research the site, observe how people use public spaces, explore creative uses for shipping containers, and develop ideas through sketches, plans, models, critique, and revision. Along the way, they will learn from people involved in real design and development, including Jose Cotto and members of the UMass Amherst design community.

The course asks one central question: How can we create a place where people feel safe, welcome, connected, and proud to belong?

The semester will end with students presenting their completed Placita concept directly to the development team.