WE TRANSFORM THE EVERYDAY
DESIGN PROPOSAL: Allery #1
PROJECT PARTNER: Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce (LRVCC)
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As part of a larger master plan and in an effort to define a section of Lincoln Avenue on Chicago’s northside as the ‘Lincoln Arts District,’ LRVCC solicited design proposals to activate a large building wall and adjacent parking lot with the goals of showcasing a rotating collection of local art and creating a programmable space for pop-up events. LRVCC dubbed this placemaking concept ‘The Allery’ —an alley gallery.
Common Place Projects designed a bold, colorful, and flexible community space that incorporated wall and ground murals, lighting, stackable seating, and a storage unit. Keeping in mind the main function of the space as an active parking lot, we designed the wall and ground mural to incorporate dividing lines for the existing parking spaces in a novel and fun way. All furniture needed to be easily stackable and storable, so we incorporated the storage container into the design of the space —creating additional opportunities for activation and programming. Finally, we added bistro string lighting to the design to further define the space and create a festive ambience for evening events.
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While LRVCC’s Allery initiative is currently on hold, these design ideas can act as a model for future activations in the area and in other communities.
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THE ALLERY
Urban Placemaking
​​BISTRO LIGHTING
Creates atmosphere and helps define the space for daytime and evening events​
​​CUSTOM MURAL SIGNAGE
Highly-visible and bold wayfinding​
​​STORAGE UNIT
Provides storage for programming equipment and opportunities for further community activations​
​​CAFE SEATING
Stackable, durable, and colorful furniture to complement project palette​
​​CUSTOM WALL & GROUND MURAL
Activates the entire space and connects all design elements​
​​ALLERY ARTWORKS
Commissioned artworks displayed in an elegant, gallery-like manner​
​​MURALS
Hand-painted, custom murals on the exterior brick wall and parking surface bring color, vibrancy, and personality to the space
Each scallop is the width of a parking space to maintain the primary functionality of the lot
​​MEDIA FRAMES
Commercial, outdoor frame system securely houses commissioned artworks —able to be changed out on an as needed basis
Digitally-printed artwork reproductions would allow for artists of a wide variety of media to participate in Allery exhibitions
​​BISTRO LIGHTING
​​STORAGE UNIT​
​​CAFE SEATING​
CUSTOM GROUND MURAL​
PROGRAMMING IDEAS
To enrich the community experience, we included a handful programming ideas to complement the overall design and increase the impact of the project.
An annual event where community members come together to complete an artwork across one or two sides of the storage unit. A mural design could be mapped out on the surface ahead of time for the community to complete together.
ENTERTAINMENT HUB
With a portable PA system, projector, and screen, the front face of the storage unit could become a movie screen or performance stage for regularly-scheduled community events.
CHALK PAINTING
To echo the collection of rotating, commissioned artworks displayed on the building wall, community members of all ages and skill levels could join together to create their own ‘masterpieces’ on the parking surface at regularly-scheduled chalk painting events.
