ANDREW HANEY

“undesirables” or marginalized people, located near infrastructural city elements or areas that were 

previously industrial, and areas of large minority populations. Those in the undesirable population, 

while not inherently detrimental to the place, are frowned upon by developers and planners and 

thus are forced to shift locations in light of redevelopment. Many of these “undesirables” are 

marginalized because they seek to be marginalized, to exist between the gaps of planned and 

organized space and society. The chosen site contains preexisting populations of underground 

artists, skaters and a small collection of homeless individuals who have settled in disused areas. 

This marginal population represents a portion of the true character of the site and should be allowed 

and encouraged to remain in place. The marginal quality of these groups is a large part of their 

integrity, as well as the site’s, and should be preserved if at all possible. The design creates a 

location that allows the graffiti artists and skaters to exist, without directly planning for them. The 

chosen art studio and gallery spaces as well as the school are placed in an attempt to provide a bridge 

between different groups. Due to the lack of specificity of space and the fact that the site does not 

immediately call attention to itself the different groups are allowed to continue their marginal 

existence by providing for them the privacy that they require, in a seemingly public place without 

removing the marginal characteristics of their events by redirecting them to the mainstream eye.  

By planning and allowing for a population to remain in an area of decline through its rejuvenation 

the new development can become a unique social center, providing a unique sense of location and 

allowing for unique interaction to occur between social demographics.