Inglewood has seen better days, but a grand scheme by local architecture firm (fer) Studio could dramatically enliven the downtown area. Vertical gardens, green roofs, and an altered urban fabric with a splash of renewable energy thrown in make it an exciting proposal for the down-and-out California city. The grand master plan has been submitted to the city council and (fer) has entered it in the Cascadia’s Living City Competition to secure startup funds for the lush redevelopment scheme.
(fer) Studio began its redesign of Inglewood to redefine the city’s image. The new plan features a renovated city center complete with a light rail line, which will serve as a catalyst to jump-start the city’s downtown area around Market street. The master plan places a strong focus on urban agriculture and landscaping as well as the use of renewable energy systems like wind turbines, photovoltaics, and geothermal energy. The locally-based studio envisions a large canopy of living walls enveloping and wrapping around the city center to create a lush green oasis.
The plans for the city’s redo have been submitted to the Living City Competition, which challenges architects to envision a whole city that meets the strict and super-sustainable standards of the Living Building Challenge. The winner of the competition will be awarded a cash prize of $75,000 and may even have a chance to begin implementing their vision. (fer) Studio is also working with Inglewood’s City Council (which is reportedly conservative) to get the plans approved. It’s certainly a grand scheme, but it’s one that could shake up and propel a California city into the next generation of sustainability.
+ (fer) Studio
Via Architect’s Newspaper Blog
