A recent community-driven design project at the University of Utah has focused on revitalizing Japantown in Salt Lake City, aiming to preserve the history of the Japanese American community while addressing their current needs.
This initiative brought together architecture students, community members, and professionals, creating a collaborative environment for developing a meaningful architectural design.
Viviane Nguyen, a senior in Architectural Studies, reflected on how this project transformed her perspective on the role of architects.
She emphasizes that architects have a responsibility not only to design but also to advocate for underserved communities.
The project began by exploring the historical context of the Japanese population in Utah, tracing its roots back to the migratory waves for better prospects that ultimately led to the detention of families in internment camps.
As conditions improved, many of these individuals resettled in Japantown, forming a close-knit community that required support for its preservation and growth.
Nguyen and her team engaged directly with community members through interviews, gaining invaluable insights into their wants and needs for a revitalized space.
The design process took a creative turn when the team experimented with origami to conceptualize the building’s form, leading to the unique angular shape of their proposed structure.
Named the “Hikari Atrium,” the building’s theme centers around “light,” with the term ‘Hikari’ signifying light in Japanese.
The atrium features strategically placed staircases that echo the character for “hikari,” providing an aesthetic focal point that reflects the project’s mission to illuminate Japanese history.
Nguyen expressed her pride in the final product—what she believes to be a well-developed museum dedicated to Japanese American history.
The collaboration with community members was described as emotionally charged and rewarding.
Motivated by stories of injustice involving the erasure of their community, the architecture students were inspired to create designs that would resonate positively with the Japanese American community.
The feedback received from community members further fueled the team’s creative energy, highlighting the importance of communication in architecture.
Nguyen stresses that the ability to convey design ideas visually and verbally to non-architects is crucial.
Ultimately, the project aims to reflect the desires of the Japanese community and offers hope for future reclamation and redevelopment of their cultural space in Salt Lake City.
For architecture students looking to engage in community-driven projects, Nguyen offers this essential advice: listen closely to the community.
She emphasizes the importance of integrating the community’s wants and needs into design while also reminding students to step back from the intricate details to focus on the larger vision of their work.
image source from：https://attheu.utah.edu/community/human-of-the-u-viviane-nguyen/
