USC Architecture XpoInstructor: Cindy Olnick
Former industrial sites, now often relegated to the role of historic landmark or museum, have undergone a transformation in how they are viewed and valued. No longer defined by what they produce, their very image has become the tool by which they are understood. Through the legacy of industrial landmarks, this thesis aims to glean […]
Postmodern-style malls, once icons of splendor and spectacle, are vanishing fast and are dismissed as outdated, unserious, and “dead.” This thesis reclaims their architectural and cultural value as heritage sites worthy of conservation. Focusing on Southern California, it examines Horton Plaza, Westside Pavilion, and Universal City Walk to explore adaptive reuse, historic tax credits, and […]
Master of Heritage Conservation students learn how to strengthen communities using existing places and the stories they tell. Each student selects a thesis topic that fuels their passion, pushes the boundaries of the field, and has very real consequences for the built environment. How do we use places to advance racial equity and social justice, […]