ACE Fall Design Studio

Ace Fall Design Studio
Woodbury University

2014, 2016
The Bowtie Project 

Throughout the fall of 2014, undergraduate and graduate architecture students from the Woodbury Architecture + Civic Engagement Center (ACE Center) will engage in a comprehensive urban/rural design studio that focuses on long-term site planning, and short-term temporary use on the Bowtie Project site in North East Los Angeles for public campgrounds, educational, and recreational uses. Graduate architecture students will be involved in site planning and design proposals; undergraduate architecture students will design and construct lightweight temporary structures on the parcel to facilitate camping activities. Students and faculty will meet periodically with staff from California State Parks in order to obtain feedback and guidance on the designs and potential constructions. The primary goal of the studio is to explore the potential of low-technology, high-impact design interventions as a means of better understanding community needs along this future public park site.

The ACE Center promotes civic engagement among students and faculty via projects with nonprofit groups that are dedicated to social and environmental justice.  Students work collaboratively across Woodbury’s disciplines to combine their skills and test their fields of study on real projects for the public good.  Projects include architectural design/build works where students build small tactical structures; business plans for organizations; graphic design including way-finding signage and logos; films and videos promoting a message; journalistic and creative writing; and other services.