Mid-City Residences
Mid-City Baton Rouge is looking to revive its status as the centralized area of commerce and culture. Government Street, lined with a mix of abandoned buildings, residential neighborhoods, and eclectic shops and restaurants, acts as the spine through Mid-City. A new mixed-use development aims to combine residences, a neighborhood plaza, a laundromat, and a bar into a new hub for community activity. Its location amongst a variety of existing businesses and neighborhoods make for a promising new development in Baton Rouge's budding Mid-City.
Conceptual collage showing the integration of public visitors, residents, and community gathering space around a central water feature. Large columns demarcate and highlight the community space to neighborhood residents and passersby.
Section showing arrangement of market, laundromat, and residences around central reflecting pool. Laundromat walls open to allow air flow and direct views across the reflecting pool.
Section showing relationship of bar and community space around central reflecting pool. The bar and rooftop patio engages visitors with both the central pool and Government St.
Hidden Escape
The site currently exists as a private, relaxing paradise that draws visitors away from the bustling Government Street. It sits amongst a collection of neighborhoods that house residents of varying backgrounds. Keeping the entrances from the neighborhoods into the program open encourages the residents to interact with and use the space, while creating small, Japanese garden-inspired entrances from Government Street preserves the feeling of escape from the fast-paced city life. Within the site, circulation around a central water feature that is directed by plant walls and a simple, consistent material palette additionally enhances the feeling of walking through a private garden.
Plans and sections displaying desire to integrate laundry, bar, and community space into a single composition.
Plans, Sections, and Elevations showing interrelationship of programmatic spaces and the development's new presence on Government St.
First Floor Plan_Two street-side entrances and a main rear neighborhood entrance draw visitors into the site and around the central reflecting pool. Over-water patios and sitting areas help to encourage interaction between users of the bar, laundromat, and community space.
Second Floor Plan_The private residences begin on the second level of the development. A rooftop patio above the bar also provides a secondary place of gathering.
Third Floor Plan_Residences and offices occupy the third floor, creating an elevated living environment away from the main public spaces.
Fourth Floor Plan_Additional large residences occupy the fourth floor.