Belmont Students workshop their concepts with design professionals at the Civic Design Center
Join us for a special Open House event at the Civic Design Center, where students from Belmont University’s O’More College of Architecture & Design present their work and spark a conversation about the future of our city through the exhibit: Pre-Enacting The Pike: Envisioning the Future of The Nolensville Pike Cultural District.
Fourth-year Urban Design Studio students, led by Professors Dr. Fernando Lima and Dr. Josh Yates, undertook an impactful project on the Nolensville Pike Cultural Corridor—a proposed mile-long stretch celebrating Nashville’s richest concentration of ethnic diversity. In collaboration with the Civic Design Center and inspired by the vision of longtime community champion, Dr. Jose Gonzalez, they developed architectural and urban design proposals aimed at ensuring that the future of the Pike preserves its rich cultural vibrancy in the face of rapid development.
A mile-long section of Nolensville Pike where the Design Center recommends an urban design overlay that is specific about the preservation and expansion of cultural assets and expands on the ethnic identity it currently embodies.
Throughout the design process, students applied insights from Urban Magnet and Pre-Enactment theories, engaged residents, business owners, and community experts in the development of their proposals, and received critical feedback from design professionals from the Civic Design Center, local architects, and the Metro Nashville Planning Department. The resulting proposals prioritize several interdependent design principles: preventing displacement, preserving cultural identity, promoting equity and wellness, supporting mixed-use development, and strengthening pedestrian connectivity.
Come and see how the studio’s work promotes 12 distinct building proposals, a greenway, and a complete street redesign along Nolensville Pike, together forming a cohesive strategy for a more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable urban environment.
Through this project, students engaged in hands-on urban resilience and community-driven design, deepening Belmont University’s commitment to service-learning and socially responsive architecture while offering meaningful contributions to one of Nashville’s most culturally rich corridors.
What to Expect:
Talk to O'More College of Architecture & Design students and explore a variety of design solutions, including public spaces, landscaping, and community engagement strategies.
Learn about students’ research and creative approaches to shaping a vibrant and cohesive neighborhood.
Participate in discussions on preserving cultural identity and inclusive urban planning. Connect with community members, stakeholders, and design enthusiasts.
Program themes will include: Greenway + Nolensville Pk, Multi-cultural hub, MultiGen + Micro or co-Housing, Healthcare Clinic + Pharmacy, Trade school + Satelite, Food Hall, Hotel - with mixed-use ground floor, Art Gallery, Library, Events space/community center/Conexion Americas, “Intentional” EMS, Sports Training center + recreation, Parks/Amphitheater, International Market + Grocery
Support the students as they share their visions for enhancing Nolensville Pike’s Cultural Corridor. Enjoy refreshments and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our community. We look forward to seeing you there!