Unearthed
A New Track
Parkside, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Unearthed is a multifunctional community library—an innovative architectural project breathing new life into a declining area of Parkside, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Historic materials—recovered steel, wood tracks, and soil from forgotten rail lines—are excavated from Belmont Charter High School’s backyard to construct the library. These reclaimed elements inspire unique connections between vacant spaces and existing residents, forging a new circulatory backbone through Parkside’s heart along Leidy Avenue. By incorporating these materials and studying historic typologies, the library proposal aims to establish a fresh cultural node and identity for Parkside.
Environmental Systems
Site Analysis
Rail Line Morphology
Cut & Fill
Local communities can participate in workshops to create custom earth blocks from excavated soils for Unearthed’s construction, fostering a sense of ownership and providing valuable skill training. The community-driven approach, along with the use of on-site, locally-sourced materials, significantly reduces the project’s environmental impact while aligning with sustainable building practices.
Unearthing Framework
Site Construction Process
Unearthed
Parkside’s Community Library
Once thriving, Parkside faced challenges such as economic decline and demographic shifts, leading to the deterioration of its historic homes and community fabric. Since the early 1980s, efforts to revitalize Parkside as a historic area—including the restoration of homes, landmarks, and trolley lines—have created an opportunity for a library like Unearthed to serve as a catalyst for further community development. The new library would act as a cultural hub, preserving local history while offering modern resources and services to residents, ultimately contributing to the ongoing revitalization of a growing Parkside.
University of Pennsylvania
Buildner Competition Submission 2024
Studio: ARCH 502
Professor: Annette Fierro
Individual Project: Christian Cueva
Spring 2017