Hieu Nguyen 

Location:

I left the Northlight Studios and walked up the Bartlett Street to the new Murray Hill “Sculptural” Park. New Belgium Brewing Company is partnering with the River Art District to host an “Art & Beer Garden” event at the new park.

At the corner, I found a new residential development, “Artist’s Court,” hugging effortlessly against the hill. I climbed up a series of steps and raised decks with modern sculptures that harmoniously tie the development to the existing River Art District and new sculptural park. The metal siding and rails, stone veneer, aluminum window frames, and large glass windows give the homes fresh contemporary looks but also reminiscences of the community’s industrial history. I saw an old couple strolling on the trail beside the homes, kids playing on the steps, family barbequing on their deck, and neighbors sharing food and drinks at the community center. At the top of the hill, a newlywed couple is saying “I do” at the event lawn, while I headed down the sculptural park to the art gallery where guests are enjoying their beers and arts.

The homes’ living spaces are designed and prefabricated on a 12-foot by 12-foot module. The connecting corridors and stairs are based on a 4-foot module that can be constructed on-site to accommodate different topographies. Interior walls and exterior windows are on a 2-foot module. This concept design allows for flexible addition and interchanging of living spaces, affordable fabrication and installation of units, while minimizing grading and surface water runoff.