Don't miss the Polytechnic Heights Community-Based Master Plan upcoming exhibition at the Bernice Coulter Templeton Gallery from July 19 through Aug. 20.

The Polytechnic Heights Community-Based Master Plan was developed through a participatory process in collaboration with the community, The University of Texas at Arlington and Community Design Fort Worth. Students from architecture and landscape architecture design courses led by professor Dennis Chiessa and Dr. Joowon Im conducted multiple community meetings and research in Polytechnic Heights during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. Equipped with data and findings, Dr. Im’s landscape architecture students developed the community-based master plan in collaboration with architecture students from professor Chiessa’s design studio and with feedback from stakeholders and design professionals. The work was supported through the CAPPA Conference and Workshop Grant for the Advancement of Diversity and was presented as a key component of discussion at the CAPPA Open City Symposium in April 2021. 

The design team worked with diverse community stakeholders, including but not limited to Texas Wesleyan University, Polytechnic High School, William James Middle School, United FW Justice Center, business owners, individual members of the community and more. Using a participatory design process and avoiding top-down approaches, the work is intended to bring community members together to identify great community resources, examine the neighborhood history and create a shared vision for Polytechnic Heights.

This exhibition showcases the inclusive process that has been done throughout the planning process, the community-based master plan and individual student projects that provide initial visions of possible catalyst projects within the master plan. We hope that this work can be used by community champions to realize a shared vision for the Polytechnic community.

About the Studio & Gallery

The Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio & Gallery is open to visitors Tuesday - Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Professors from all disciplines are invited and encouraged to use the gallery as an additional teaching tool. This university gallery belongs to the Texas Wesleyan community and promises to provide an environment in which learning occurs and where cultural experiences expand creative and intellectual curiosity.