With the arrival of Spring and the onset of National Volunteer Week, we’re taking a moment to reflect on a meaningful project from last fall and how it reinforces our firm’s commitment to community-driven initiatives as we look ahead to new opportunities.
Last Fall, The American Institute of Architects Coastal Virginia Chapter (AIA CoVA) and ForKids, a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting homeless and at-risk families and children, joined forces to create a vibrant and playful pop-up park at the ForKids Landmark Center in South Norfolk. The goal of the project was to offer a vibrant, playful, and memorable experience for children and families at ForKids, as well as to activate a new community amenity for the South Norfolk neighborhood.
The design team, which included members of VIA, was inspired by the butterfly’s life cycle and conceived a series of installations that included a caterpillar bench, a chrysalis canopy, a butterfly sculpture, and a flower wall. Each installation symbolized a different stage of the butterfly’s journey, creating a whimsical and educational experience for visitors.
VIA design’s Role in the Pop-Up Park
From Concept to Creation
Although the pop-up park is referred to as a ‘pop-up’ because it was installed in one day leading up to the event, the project consisted of hours of design work, engagement, fabrication and building, and day-of event planning long before installation.
Over the course of two and a half months, VIA Project Designers Andre Rezaie, Ayesha Shaikh, and Beatrice Nzeyimana, who are all active members of AIA CoVA, led VIA’s efforts on this project. Andre, in collaboration with Hanbury’s Holly McNeilly, designed the iconic butterfly sculpture, a centerpiece of the park. The sculpture was designed to attract passersby and provide a memorable backdrop for photos. Ayesha, a skilled organizer, coordinated a diverse group of volunteers, including colleagues, industry professionals, and high school students, to ensure day-of success leading up the event.
Andre, Ayesha, and Beatrice spent countless hours at 757Makerspace, sanding, painting, polishing, and crafting the elements that would make up the caterpillar bench, chrysalis canopy, and butterfly art. They were also integral in organizing and leading build-days to get the entire VIA team involved and bring the overall vision to life, as documented in a reel we shared following our first full team build day.
Engaging the Community
In addition to their work at 757Makerspace, both Ayesha and Beatrice also represented VIA at the ForKids Pop-up Park event on October 5th. They led activities emphasizing the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Their efforts focused on fostering creativity and hands-on learning among the young participants. Continuing the butterfly theme of the art installation, they facilitated multiple butterfly crafts, which proved to be a hit among participants of all ages
Our Ongoing Commitment
The success of the pop-up park is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement. By working together, AIA CoVA, ForKids, VIA and other local firms were able to create a lasting impact on the South Norfolk community.
Andre, Ayesha, and Beatrice’s ongoing involvement not only demonstrates their passion for design but also exemplifies VIA’s deep-seated commitment to community impact. Their dedication, along with the efforts of our entire team, underscores the importance of community connections in the creative process and reminds us that design is not just about the final product.
We look forward to more inspiring opportunities for engagement and collaboration with the communities we serve.
Learn more about VIA’s community commitment.
