ASSIMILATION
ASSIMILATION
LITTLE ITALY
A CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT
DEFINING BOUDNARIES
The culture of a place can be determined by the activities that its residents and visitors partake in. The restaurants, hospitals, universities, and the parks (out of many other things) mould the culture of Little Italy because they affect how people interact with one another. The culture of a place is what is remembered by someone when they leave that space. Social interaction on the other hand can be anything ranging from sitting in a lecture hall, to stopping to grab a smoke on the sidewalk.
SITE ANALYSIS
Religion and education are important aspects that can shape identities. This drawing highlights the major nodes of larger group gatherings (in a social context). It locates the universities, colleges and churches.
This focuses more on the cultural side of things and how restaurants and restauranteurs are dealing with COVID-19. Is it currently open? Can we eat at the restaurant? Do they deliver? Can I grab & go?
A map of cuisines around the site. Cuisines can tell a lot about a neighborhood, they show likes and dislikes, they opinionate reviews. It shows the cultural influence on a neighborhood and that speaks about the demographic.
The Chicago Public Library (Little Italy Branch) that is usually packed withs students and other visitors alike has laid down strict rules for entering and using the building itself. Pre COVID-19 to now.
INFLUENCE DRAWINGS
The drawings above annotate and record large, small and medium influences on the site in Little Italy. Think of it as a story. The largest influences (the parks, hospitals and academic institutions) are what draw you in at first. Once you're there you seek restaurants and places to spend time. The smallest influences that some may consider insignificant are places where strangers meet. Smoke spots. These locations and ideas define how people interact with one another.
DETAILS - DRAWINGS
The event rooms provide an outlet for creative socialization where community members are free to host as well as attend events hosted by the management or by other members of the community.
Anchor offers a lounge, a co-working space and event rooms for the community members to make connections, learn from each other, and uplift professional as well as personal lives.
The lounge is a cozy space to relax and unwind after a long day or just catch up with friends and watch a movie.
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The co-working space brings together working professionals as well as students that wouldn't necessarily have an opportunity to meet outside of this space. ​
DETAILS - RENDERINGS
