Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies / Exhibition + Narrative Environments
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Can Altay
Second Advisor
Kip Mcmahan
Third Advisor
Nick Haus Heywood
Abstract
Sustainable urban regeneration refers to the revitalization of underused architectural spaces to promote environmental responsibility, social equity, and cultural continuity within the urban fabric. This thesis explores how spatial design can act as a catalyst for such regeneration by reactivating The Arcade Providence—the oldest indoor shopping mall in the U.S.—as a dynamic, interdisciplinary platform for artistic production and academic exchange. Although Providence’s urban growth has slowed in recent decades, its historic downtown still reflects the fragmentation of post-industrial decline. The Arcade, while architecturally significant, remains underutilized and disconnected from the evolving spatial and infrastructural needs of artists, educators, and cultural practitioners. This project proposes a series of interior interventions—including artist residencies, hybrid commercialexhibition zones, and participatory pedagogical programs—to reimagine the space as a sustainable hub for creative and educational collaboration. A key component of the design is the use of modular timber structures and sustainable bio-design panels made from food waste composites—locally sourced, low-impact materials that reference Providence’s maritime heritage. These adaptable systems reduce construction waste and carbon footprint while allowing long-term spatial flexibility in response to evolving academic and artistic uses. By aligning architecture with strategies of sustainable reuse, pedagogical engagement, and material innovation, the project reframes The Arcade not as a static landmark, but as an evolving framework for creative learning and cultural production. This thesis argues that spatial transformation— grounded in the support of artistic practice and cross-disciplinary education—can support urban regeneration by converting neglected heritage sites into inclusive, resilient environments that foster
Recommended Citation
Liao, Yichen, "Reimagining The Arcade" (2025). Masters Theses. 1385.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1385
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