Entry Title: The Leveling Field
Team Code: 2023-9170
School: University of California, Berkeley

Overview (Narrative Excerpt from Original Project Submission):

‘The Leveling Field’ initiative strives to mend a history of economic, educational, and environmental inequity and create a more inclusive future for the city of North Charleston. The city’s transformation from a former naval base into an industrial centre has only benefitted a few big actors, proving to be detrimental for its people and the environment. The 2.8 million sf proposed development thus creates a framework of equity that addresses these historic barriers, by providing opportunities of learning and working for a resilient future. At the core of the proposal is the ‘Spine’, also called the ‘The Leveling Field’, flanked by 305,000 SF of educational spaces and vocational centres, 375,000 SF of flexible co-working space, in addition to housing (25% affordable), while restoring 20 acres of wetlands to maintain ecological health. This unique design allows ‘The Leveling Field’ initiative to address the urgent needs of the community while promoting long-term sustainability of the city.