From big ideas to reality, the Industrial Design and Architecture students are embracing the ideation phase of their projects. The Architecture students are tasked with designing a resilience hub for the Dunbar community, while the Industrial Design students are creating products and systems that will support the hub and strengthen community pride and culture. A resilience hub is a safe, accessible space that serves both everyday needs and critical demands during times of crisis. These hubs provide power, shelter, emergency resources, and food. They also foster community connection, build social resilience, and promote autonomy for neighborhoods and residents. Students are exploring a wide range of ideas for the hub, including community composting, improved bus stops, a chicken coop system, and modular dividers that adapt for emergency use and other functions.

The initial concepts are being rapidly tested and refined by thinking through sketching. For both disciplines, the process of quickly putting ideas onto paper (or digital canvas) is crucial for translating abstract concepts into tangible forms. This loose, dynamic approach allows students to communicate complex structural and product ideas instantly to their peers and mentors, receiving fast feedback that drives iteration. Whether illustrating the placement of a new system or detailing the joints of a divider, sketching is not about creating a final image, it’s about visual problem-solving, ensuring their designs are practical, culturally resonant, and truly meet the resilience needs of the Dunbar community.

On the architecture side, our studio has shifted gears from research into design development, moving from broad concepts to testing real spatial strategies. Students are organizing their programs and sharpening ideas rooted in the history and identity of the Dunbar community. Last week, we had critiques at Focal studio, which gave us the push we needed to refine and challenge our design moves as we prepare for mid reviews. The projects are branching out in exciting directions, with some tackling food access, others reimagining spaces for gathering and cultural exchange. The energy in the studio is high, and we're all looking forward to sharing our progress and seeing what we can collectively bring to life.

This week, architecture students presented their Dunbar site findings and initial massing studies, while industrial design students dedicated their workday to advancing big idea research. In the evening, our seminar featured the first round of project case study presentations. 

On Wednesday, the industrial design students pitched their big ideas in small groups, presenting concepts ranging from information kiosks to food systems and modular privacy screens. As they wrap up their research this week, they’ll hit the ground running with ideation next week. In the seminar, we met with Ann Holliday, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for the Downtown Council. Ann spoke about the future Roy Blunt Luminary Park. She also presented about the issues shaping the future of Downtown, such as the arts, housing, improving the urban environment, supporting new businesses, and attracting talented young people to Kansas City.

To wrap up the week, both disciplines took advantage of Friday as a work day to move forward their designs as well as heard from Dirk McClure from Enterprise Precast Concrete. Dirk visited the studio and gave an educational look into the realm of precast concrete and its manufacturing. He left students feeling inspired for the opportunity of implementing precast concrete within their own designs. 

This week in studio was a full one! We kicked things off with a visit from MARC (Mid-America Regional Council) to talk about climate resilience. Instead of just giving us a presentation, they actually sat in on ours and gave us feedback. They asked questions, added context, and helped us better understand the topics we were presenting on. MARC engaged in conversation with us that pushed us to think deeper about how climate challenges connect back to design.

On Monday in seminar, we took a field trip to the historic Aladdin Hotel to meet with Zach Molzer of Molzer Development. The building itself was such a cool backdrop for the discussion; it has gone through many changes and developments over the years but the history was preserved behind drop ceilings, plastered walls, and dirty carpets. Hearing about how it’s been reimagined and adapted over time was a great reminder that architecture isn’t always about starting from scratch. Sometimes the best design choice is to breathe new life into what’s already there.

Graphic by Josh Gaddy

Back in studio, we’ve all been deep into our projects. The Industrial Design students are developing their concept proposals, products that can help serve and aid the community of Dunbar and beyond. Meanwhile, the Architecture group has been bouncing around concept ideas, building out massing models, and starting to figure out program distribution. At the heart of both groups’ work is Dunbar; its history, its people, and its resilience. Each idea we test and tweak comes back to how design can support the community and help it grow in a sustainable, self-sufficient way.