Jeremiah Plaza
I cooperated with a pier to reimagine a empty lot on Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas Campus. The plaza is centered on providing community for students, aiming to promote mental health with the "Hi How Are You" frog mural encompassing the plaza.
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*Send me a request for further documentation to cwhann@me.com*
Elevator Pitch
Overview
Jerimiah Plaza reimagines a section of Guadalupe Street as a vibrant, eco-friendly student plaza that promotes community, mental health, and Austin’s unique culture. We used the iconic "Hi, How Are You" mural to integrate a historic and primary purpose for the plaza. Green spaces, seating, food trucks, and live music areas to create a welcoming atmosphere for students and the local community. The plaza offers amenities like restrooms, vendor spaces, and flexible areas that encourage sustainability and inclusivity.
My Role
I served as the lead researcher and designer, responsible for crafting the blueprint and developing the core layout of our eco-friendly plaza concept on Guadalupe. I conducted extensive research on placemaking, refined our project document, and integrated key student feedback to ensure the design met community needs. My teammate provided conceptual sketches and valuable feedback, which helped us align on a student-friendly, inclusive vision.
Creative Process
Our creative process for this project focused on designing an inviting, eco-friendly outdoor plaza for students and the community, inspired by the local culture and history of Guadalupe St. We began with broad concepts, drawing inspiration from local landmarks like the "Hi, How Are You" mural, and refined your vision to balance practical amenities with aesthetic and cultural relevance. Key design elements included green spaces, live music, and unique dining options, all aimed at promoting mental health and sociability.
Challenges
Working within the space constraints of Guadalupe St., finding ways to authentically represent Austin’s culture, and incorporating mental health themes thoughtfully. Additionally, deciding which elements to include in the final design and adapting your vision to realistic spatial measurements were complex steps that required creative problem-solving and careful prioritization.
Personal Growth
This project strengthened my leadership, research, and design skills. It reinforced the value of dedication and teamwork in achieving impactful results, and I’m excited to bring this experience into future collaborations in my career.
Tools Used
Photoshop, Canva, Google Docs, Procreate.