Chinatown Armature, Oakland, California, 1984

The Chinatown Landmark Armature is a proposal for reconstituting deteriorating Chinese and Victorian buildings scheduled for demolition in Oakland’s Chinatown. This  Armature concept integrates public art with a pedestrian enlivened streetscape. This market style three story high rises is held back a minimum of forty feet to improve light, air, and pedestrian scale. 

At a time when the use of industrialization and technology is fragmenting culture and the natural environment, the integrity and evolution of our personal and cultural identity matters greatly. Armatures are concerned with creating continuity and enhancing experiences that speak to our common values. Images portrayed in community art and architecture can help identify existing values as well as stimulate positive cultural evolution.