Sunshine Park on North Avenue in Milwaukee
Designed by CDS (Photo by Kelly Seniuk, MArch/MUP)
Community Design Solutions (CDS) continues to enhance local neighborhoods and campus with numerous projects over the past year. Design and development of 20 vacant parcels into local parks and orchards in the northwest area of Milwaukee was recognized locally with a Mayor’s Award and nationally with the SXSW Eco Urban Strategy Award. Other park designs included a sunflower park and blooming flowers park in the Agape neighborhood and a playground at 17th and Vine as part of MKE Plays, a Milwaukee Common Council initiative.
Serving local lake residents in Walworth County, CDS developed a community center/clubhouse for the Lauderdale Lakes Conservatory. Other building designs included façade renovations for a local learning center, renovations for the UWM Woman’s Soccer locker room, and redesign of the UWM College of Engineering and Applied Sciences third floor to provide an engaged student experience. Continuing the positive impact of past Community Charettes, CDS facilitated two more this past year—Lindsay Heights and the Near West Side.
What is Community Design Solutions?
Community Design Solutions (CDS) is a funded design center in UWM’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning that assists communities, agencies, civic groups, and campuses throughout Wisconsin. CDS provides preliminary design and planning services to underserved communities and agencies. Students from SARUP work with Director Carolyn Esswein, clients, and faculty to develop concepts that promote positive change, stimulate funding opportunities, and serve as a catalyst for continued investment.
