Urban Ribbon, the revitalization of Kanawha Plaza in downtown Richmond re-examines the relationship of mixed-use program around a vertical “street”. Retail, residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces will be lifted from conventional storefront within a continuous shell. The shell will be completed by a photovoltaic array and multi-level green roof, which will transfer solar energy and clean water downward into the building to the lower program.
Growing medium will be embedded within the shell bounding residential and commercial spaces, allowing vegetation to be grown to supply food, promote indoor air quality, and provide insulation. The architecture will re-energize an inactive region of downtown into a thriving epicenter for living, shopping, working, and entertaining.
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.