All Photos Credited to Antonio Carrillo
How might we improve an existing community hub for youth development?
Free Spirit Media partners with young creators predominantly from the West and South neighborhoods of Chicago to develop and amplify their unique and critical voices through storytelling and media arts. As an awardee of the Design Services Program, we worked with the organization to renovate its existing office space in North Lawndale, ultimately creating a new organizational home for Free Spirit Media.
PROCESS
The scope of work involved design expertise, fund development, and the implementation of a phased rehab process for Free Spirit Media’s existing space at 3604 W Ogden. Aligning the design with both Free Spirit Media’s budget and mission was critical to the creative process, and the project itself was vital to the organization as it looked to keep pace with the rapidly changing North Lawndale neighborhood. We worked alongside Free Spirit Media to co-create community engagement sessions that centered opportunities for facility improvements. We also developed design documents to assist Free Spirit Media in securing project funding through city grants.
SOLUTION
We presented a plan for all encompassing facility improvements for Free Spirit Media to maximize its presence on the main commercial corridor in North Lawndale and provide a reinvigorated, energized space for current and future students.
Recommendations included general repairs and upgrades throughout the existing interior, the activation of the exterior through interventions such as a mural and graphics, as well as the addition of new Youth Program and Media Rooms.
With our support, FSM was awarded $45,000 from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) through the Together We Heal Creative Place Program (CPP).
PARTNERS
Community Partner