Graduate students enrolled in the Florida A&M University School of Architecture made their annual trek to Jacksonville Thursday for the 2012 Jacksonville Studio, a program of the Mellen C. Greeley AIA Foundation Inc.
The exercise is sponsored by the Jacksonville chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Since 1990, architecture students from FAMU have focused their talents on Downtown, undertaking conceptual design projects including redesigning the Museum of Science & History on the Southbank (2011), a “Jacksonville Aquarium” adjacent to the Sports Complex (2006), a master plan for Brooklyn along Riverside Avenue (2004) and a new Main Library at Hemming Plaza (2001).
This year’s project was to design a mixed-use development incorporating street-level retail space with a culinary arts college on the upper floors.
Michael Alfano, associate professor of architecture at FAMU, said the project focuses on Downtown because of the significance of the urban core.
“It’s important for people to realize the importance of Downtown. It’s a tapestry of what Jacksonville used to be,” he said.
Alfano said the key component of this year’s project was to “make a place that contributes to the streetscape.”
“It’s quite a challenge,” he said.
To view the concepts for a Downtown culinary arts college, visit www.famu.edu/architecture.
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