Student Work

Course Description

PULSE

Student: Marianna Morrone
Studio: ARCH 302 — Vayle Khalaf — Spring 2025
Location: Seattle, Washington

Project Description

In Greenwood, a neighborhood rich in arts and grassroots programs, this project proposes a new community center designed to strengthen social connection and create a shared civic identity. Sited on a former homeless encampment, the building acknowledges its history while offering a hopeful vision forward—one that integrates social housing with inclusive public space. By combining these programs, the design positions the center as both a literal and symbolic heart of the neighborhood.

The building includes two floors of social housing above active community spaces, supporting long-term stability for residents while inviting broader public use. A rain garden anchors the site, managing stormwater while doubling as a welcoming outdoor gathering space. Mobility hubs and new pedestrian trails extend the project beyond its footprint, linking it to surrounding streets and encouraging movement, interaction, and accessibility. Together, these elements create a layered environment where ecological function and social life intersect. The result is a community-driven design that transforms a once-marginalized site into a vibrant, connected, and resilient neighborhood hub.

Images from PULSE.