This fall, Professors Olivia Ramos and John Stuart are teaching a section of final-year Architectural Design 10 studio focused on Affordable Housing. The theoretical project, which is located on the property of Beth David Congregation, is being generously supported by Pinnacle Housing Group and Louis Wolfson, III. Pinnacle Housing Group is one of the largest affordable housing developers in the nation, with over 40 developments in the state of Florida. Pinnacle prides itself on including public art displays in each of its communities, with guidance from Doris Meltzer of DM Art Enterprises, Inc. Pinnacle is able to bring art to those who might not otherwise experience it. Ms. Meltzer has been serving as a liaison between Pinnacle and the FIU architecture students, who are studying all aspects of the project, including design and finances, codes, and the inclusion of public art in the facility.
Doris Meltzer has been meeting regularly with FIU students, and she observed that the “object of the class…[is] to deal with the planning of property in conjunction with artwork…that would be part of the development.” Meltzer explained that Pinnacle Housing Group believes that the artwork encourages residents to respect their homes and the urban fabric around them. Meltzer gave tours to the Design 10 students and faculty members of several Pinnacle Housing Group properties and commented that “Pinnacle not only build[s] beautiful and exceptional housing, but [also] bring[s] culture into neighborhoods that have not previously been exposed to art.”
Students will present their projects to representatives from Pinnacle Housing Group during early December. Awards will be given to the top design proposals in the class.
The featured image is provided by John Stuart. In the image, Doris Meltzer is giving a tour to students, at Pinnacle Housing Group’s King’s Terrace.
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