DAAP Banner



gabriel’s place


the nodes at gabriel’s place involves working with our fantastic community partners — the avondale community council, avondale development corporation, and the avondale library — to co-design a green space that incorporates community-driven knowledge to highlight the well-being benefits of green spaces.

our main goals are:

  • to define what a green space means in the community’s own terms
  • to identify the community’s perceived benefits of green spaces related to health and well-being
  • to define guidelines for sharing knowledge of the local ecology through and engaging green space

throughout the process, we’ll ask for feedback through co-design workshops and public questionnaires. after installation, we’ll also check how the space is being used and how it’s helping the community.

know your nature


the nodes team is collaborating with “know your nature” on the gabriel’s place project. “know your nature” is bringing an exciting, hands-on project to avondale to show how green spaces like parks and tree-filled areas help clean our air, keep our neighborhoods healthier, and support plants, animals and our community.

the initiative explores:

  • how urban greenspaces improve air quality
  • the wildlife and plants living around us
  • how to protect and care for our green spaces


process



engagements


avondale juneteenth festival 06.19.25        more info

avondale empowerment day 07.01.25        more info
back to school carnival 08.01.25        more info

design/build


target start for the design build is fall 2025


results


target completion date of nodes gabriel’s place is spring 2027

press


2025 UC Coalition for Change (C3) Grantees5.30.25        more info


team


Anca Matyiku, Co-Lead, University of Cincinnati, School of Architecture and Interior Design
D.J. Trischler, Co-Lead, University of Cincinnati, School of Design
Jennifer Foster, Community Partner, Know Your Nature
Crystal Russel, Community Partner, Know Your Nature, The Faith Community Alliance
Aisha Tzillah, Community Partner, Avondale Development Corporation, 
Yingying Xie, Research Lead, Know Your Nature, Northern Kentucky University
Kristy Hopfensperger, Research Partner, Know Your Nature, Northern Kentucky University
Rhonda Davis, Research Partner, Northern Kentucky University, 
Kathleen Feugen, Research Partner, Know Your Nature, Northern Kentucky University 
Vicky Carr, Research Collaborator, University of Cincinnati, 
Sam Yageneh, University of Cincinnati, Graduate Student