Students of the Faculty of Architecture at the Silesian University of Technology - Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła and Karolina Supron - have won first place in the prestigious 2025 Edmund N. Bacon International Urban Design Competition. Bacon Urban Design Awards. The awards gala will be held on March 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, where the winners will present their project "Urban Arcade" before an international panel of specialists.
land development
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
A new vision for "The Disney Hole" in Philadelphia
The Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awardsis a prestigious event that annually attracts male and female students who stand out for their innovative approach to urban planning. The award was established in 2006 in honor of Edmund N. Bacon (1910-2005), an icon of urban planning in Philadelphia. It is awarded annually to professionals who have made significant contributions to the field of urban planning, as well as to students for outstanding urban planning projects in the competition. This year's competition focused on the challenge of revitalizing a space in downtown Philadelphia known as "The Disney Hole." The area, left undeveloped for years, has become a symbol of untapped urban potential. The goal of the competition was to create a concept that breathes new life into the place, using modern technology, including artificial intelligence. The "Urban Arcade" project responds to this challenge, combining advanced technological solutions with the functionality and aesthetics of modern urbanism.
solutions
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
integration of artificial intelligence in urban design
The team's approach was based on collaboration with AI, which played a key role in shaping the space. They began by analyzing the needs of the local community and the urban context, and then created a functional program tailored to the character of the neighborhood. Artificial intelligence helped in the placement of the various functions, analyzing both spatial data and the relationships between program elements.
market street
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
The reference to the historical purpose of the site inspired the team to use artificial intelligence in the process of optimal distribution of functions of the designed establishment. In order to precisely determine the location of the various elements of the functional program, the plot was divided by a coordinate grid. Then, using AI algorithms, recommendations for the optimal location of functions in space were obtained - the system pointed out the coordinates, analogous to the mechanics of a ship game. Thanks to this process, it was possible to methodically and efficiently shape the structure of the project, taking into account both the spatial context and functional requirements.
sports zone
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
This synergy resulted in a project with an original form, integrating various urban functions. The building not only responds to contemporary urban challenges, but also exemplifies a new approach to design, in which technology becomes a partner of the architect.
view of the courtyard
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
ecological and innovative solutions
The project is being built in the heart of Philadelphia, on Market Street, on a plot of land originally intended for Disney Quest, now functioning as a parking lot. The site's major urban challenges, such as overheating, noise and integration with public transportation, were taken into account.
To counteract the urban heat island effect, the concept includes the use of green terraces, improving the microclimate and increasing the comfort of users/users. The building's façade is made of innovative acoustic panels that reduce urban noise, providing better indoor conditions. Its form was inspired by neighboring building facades - it is an extension and synthesis of them, fitting into the existing urban fabric.
green terraces
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
Integration with public transportation has been solved through level -1, which serves as a transfer center connecting the building with the subway, while offering an entertainment space with arcade games to make the waiting time for transportation more pleasant.
An additional design element is the flooring in the form of cubes, which colorfully mimic the effect of an urban heat island. The gradation of colors leads to a shade of red, located at the lowest point of the project - at level -1, where the transfer center is located. This solution not only aesthetically emphasizes the idea of the project, but also educates users about thermal phenomena in urban space.
descent to level -1
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
Another important element of the concept is the woonerf - a pedestrian-friendly space that enlivens the neighborhood and integrates the local community. Services open to this space create a dynamic, multifunctional environment, while a sports zone is located in the immediate vicinity.
woonerf
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
cartoonish form of presentation
One of the most unique aspects of the project is the way it is presented. Instead of a traditional presentation, a narrative in the form of a comic book was used, in which the figure of the presenter and a robot - a symbol of artificial intelligence - talk about the main ideas of the concept. This makes the message more accessible, visually appealing and highlights the role of modern technology in urban planning. The comic book engages the audience and gives the project a unique, artistic character, while accentuating its innovative dimension.
program
© Dorota Cichoń, Aleksandra Chylak, Oliwia Jagła, Karolina Supron
innovative way of communication
The project is an example of an innovative approach to urban planning, in which artificial intelligence not only supports the design process, but also contributes to improving the quality of life of residents/residents. The combination of ecology, functionality and technology has created a concept that can inspire future implementations in cities around the world. Participation in the Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards made it possible to present this vision - modern, sustainable and adapted to the challenges of the future.
