Empty, unused lots can be transformed into something meaningful for both people and the environment. The main idea behind this project is conviviality — creating a space where people, plants, and animals can all exist together in a way that feels natural and balanced. Instead of designing only for people or only for nature, the project creates zones across the site that shift in how they are used. Some areas are more human-focused — plazas, playgrounds, and spaces for food trucks or local vendors. Other areas prioritize habitat with limited human interaction. Transition zones allow both systems to overlap, creating a spectrum of experiences throughout the site. The project includes multiple plazas, walking paths, garden spaces, and protected habitat areas. Water harvesting systems such as basins and swales capture and reuse water in the Sonoran Desert. Native plants like mesquite, acacia, creosote, and saguaro were chosen for climate adaptation and ecosystem support. Layered vegetation supports different species — insects and ground species in low-disturbance zones, birds through open sightlines. This project hopes to create a framework for similar projects throughout the American Southwest, turning leftover land into communal nodes that bring life back into the city.
