Research and Design
A selection of projects across exhibition, teaching, research and community design.
Each one started with a place and the people connected to it.
Their Untold Stories:
Black Landscape Architects Michigan Connection
Where and when: Detroit Month of Design, September 2022
With: Detroit Mercy's School of Architecture and Community Development and the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC)
Where: Detroit, MI
Their Untold Stories: Black Landscape Architects Michigan Connection is a collaborative research project and exhibition exploring the history, efforts, impacts and journeys of Black landscape architects, artists and designers with a Michigan connection. It looks at how their influences shaped their own journeys and careers in the profession.
The research is displayed as a visual timeline of stories. It builds a deeper link between these designers and the state of Michigan, the city of Detroit and the surrounding areas.
The exhibition was recognized as an event in the 2022 Detroit Month of Design, a citywide festival that invites creatives to submit ideas for experiences that appeal to local and global audiences. The festival highlights why Detroit is the first and only UNESCO City of Design in the United States.
My role: Lead researcher and designer
Englewood Nature Trail Project Model
Where and when: Grow Greater Englewood Outdoor Juneteenth Celebration, Englewood Village Plaza, Chicago, June 2021
With: Collaborative Creative Design Model made while at SmithGroup by Stephanie Onwenu
Where: Chicago, Illinois
The Englewood Nature Trail is an elevated vacant rail line in the Englewood neighborhood of South Chicago. It is planned for redevelopment as a pedestrian and bicycle greenway. The trail will connect people to critical points along the corridor and give residents an accessible route between food, farms and employment.
The model is a conceptual design for the trail and the surrounding area, shown as an 8 inch by 10 inch mixed media artwork. It was completed as an independent study, in collaboration between SmithGroup and Ijeomalandartscapes LLC.
My role: Team member on the full project, and lead model maker, artist and designer for the Englewood model