Asiatowns in North America are serving a community that’s much more than a small minority. It is neighborhoods like Asiatown that merge one culture with myriads of other cultures that comprise a diverse way of life.

However, they seem to be easily erased. Predominantly composed of family-owned businesses, they are susceptible to marginalization and displacement. Their limited visibility in mainstream society and slow adaptation to evolving socio-economic trends often reduce them to superficial symbols of multiculturalism in public discourse. My thesis endeavors to maintain ownership, amplify visibility, and enhance adaptability for these communities.

Being a unique site in the Vietnamese sector in Bellaire, the project addresses a universal global issue. The current mini-malls are a hybridization of American modern strip mall features and Vietnamese mercantile culture. Thus, the thesis explores the negotiation between a generic real estate culture and underlying cultural assumptions.