West Oxford Housing Development

West Oxford
Housing Development

from Design 7 Architecture Studio with Prof. Craig Griffen

The West Oxford Housing Development, located in the Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia, takes into consideration the needs of the post-covid homeowners and renters.

This portion of the housing complex aims to create diverse and affordable housing options that entice residents to remain in or return to the city by providing some of the amenities they are looking for in the suburbs, such as private outdoor space for play and/or relaxation, public outdoor spaces for small gatherings, and home office and/ or work spaces.

"As designers it’s important to be aware of the shortcomings of our built environment so that we can learn from and improve them."

Jahkiya Jack
B. Architecture '22
Real Estate Development Minor
Listening to R&B

What is your design process?
My design process begins with site analysis and demographic research for the area that I'm designing for. I also do extensive precedent research, which not only includes buildings with similar concepts and typologies as mine but also furniture and artwork that have intriguing formwork, and images of spaces that I feel embody the experience and feeling that I want my project to emulate.

What are you passionate about?
Witnessing and learning about the plight that so many people face due in part to the inequities within our built environment inspires me to use architecture and design as a tool, in whatever capacity that I can, to combat these injustices. As designers it’s important to be aware of the shortcomings of our built environment so that we can learn from and improve them. For many, access to affordable housing, green space, and infrastructure for physical activity are hard to come by in their community. This unfortunate reality is what inspires me to design equitable spaces that responds to the needs of communities and aim to resolve the flaws within our built environment.