Underdog Strength
senior thesis project
Date: Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
Tools: Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator
Project overview
Underdog Strength is a fitness facility that teaches weightlifting to at risk teens and adults in Philadelphia in order to break the cycle of violence and delinquency that teens in the 22nd Police District often face, as well as adults throughout Philadelphia as a whole.
The phrase “at risk” is frequently associated with youth and has a strong intuitive meaning. However, it cannot be defined easily, as the phrase does not have a consistent definition and can often stigmatize certain groups. There are a variety of factors than can affect an individual who is at risk, as well as a set of risk factors and protective factors that can help or hinder adolescents as they mature. When considering a school/community as a domain, some risk factors include high crime neighborhoods, poor academic performance, and enrollment in schools that are unsafe and fail to address the academic and social needs of adolescents. In particular, the teens residing in the 22nd Police District are experiencing these risk factors directly.
Philadelphia site map
garage door entrance on broad st
full building axon diagram. underdog strength occupies floors 1-3, while floors 4-8 are reserved for office space.
first floor
gym entrance
cafe
second floor
second floor mezzanine
turf and running track
third floor
teen weightlifting area
third floor running track mezzanine looking into teen lounge