Two urban corners : a design exploration for the Holloway block

Abstract

This thesis explores built possibilities for two public street corners at the Holloway Block in Burlington, Vermont The site is at the historic commercial center of the town, and consisted until recently of abandoned buildings. The author and a partner recently purchased the site and renovated the existing structures for retail and office uses. The two corners, bookends for the block, were vacant at the time of purchase. One is in reality occupied by a building designed by architect Turner Brooks. The other will be built upon in the near future, and the author anticipates the opportunity to make the design. The programs for both buildings are based on amateur analysis of marketing and growth studies made by others. The block is largely within a National Historic District, which imposes design constraints. The designs grow from a brief discussion of the geological, climatic and historical context, and from a brief attitudinal discussion of public urban streets.