A Bigger Splash
Yale University
2024
This adaptive-reuse project draws inspiration from several issues deeply relevant to this site: the significance of faith in the Dixwell community, exemplified by places like Mount Hope Temple; and the potential for water to serve a dual role in both the sacred and secular activities associated with these programs.
I see the MHT Church as a vital anchor for the community, serving as both a spiritual center and an architecturally significant landmark at this urban intersection. I propose preserving it as an important spiritual space, with the altar relocated to a central hinge point. Additionally, a new rooftop is envisioned atop the church – a shallow pool for toddlers next to daycare – creating a dynamic contrast where children are playing above while adults are praying below, blending the sacred and the communal.
On a larger scale, the church becomes a “connector” between the new library and the existing triple-decker, which will be repurposed into a laundromat to generate revenue. Together, this complex will form a social hub for Dixwell’s diverse demographics, offering a wide range of programs and activities.