A future Global Mall Geared towards Youth

By Nashville Youth Design Team Members

2 min read The Nashville Youth Design Team shares their experience evaluating the Global Mall Planning Study, researching and engaging their peers, and then finally the design concepts they created to make a Youth Addendum to the Planning Study.

The Nashville Youth Design Team is a group of 16 high schoolers from communities across Nashville working to create a more youth friendly city and advocate for youth inclusion in local decision making processes. This summer, the team focused on the Global Mall site, a rapidly developing area in Antioch that pulls in people from all ages and backgrounds, and added a Youth Addendum to the existing masterplan.

*The Nashville Youth Design Team (Summer 2026)*

Evaluating the Context

We analyzed the Global Mall Master Plan to understand designs for supporting youth wellbeing that have already been proposed for the area. The team analyzed seven areas of the master plan: Antioch’s strengths, current mobility throughout Antioch, community engagement for creating the master plan, and proposed designs for the Global mall site that included an Arts and Innovation District, a Perimeter Loop Trail, and a transit center.

For our research, we went to the Southeast Community Center to conduct interviews and focus groups with youth. For all youth, we asked questions according to interview protocols specific to three age groups: 6 - 8, 9 - 11, and 12 - 14. We designed Dream City as an arts-based tool that asked youth participants to construct a city that reflects what they would like to see in their ideal built environment that supports their wellbeing and we used this model for youth ages 9 - 11. Youth ages 6 - 8 and 12 - 14 were asked to draw aspects of the community center that would support their wellbeing. Youth ages 12 - 14 were also asked to share their responses to “This versus That” binary questions on what they would prefer to see integrated into the community center.

The research projects we executed were vital to the designs we made by making sure voices of youth were being heard and drawn into action.

Site-by-Site Design Concepts

Following our research, we split up into 4 teams to focus on different areas of the Global Mall site—an Innovation District, an Arts District, a Community Center, and a Town Square. Each of these designs are based on our peer research and focus primarily on feelings of belonging, safety, accessibility, creativity, and getting energy out.

Innovation District

Our goal with the Innovation District was to create designs that prioritized accessibility and safety for youth as they moved to and through the global mall site. After interviewing youth from the community center, we learned that many don’t feel safe on public transit due to a lack of other youth on the bus, unfamiliarity with buses, and poor bus/bus stop conditions. This led us to design a transit center lobby that provided everyone, especially youth, with resources to feel more comfortable on the WeGo buses. In particular, we created a “Youth Desk” which would provide youth a safe and welcoming space to ask questions regarding transit.

*Youth-informed site plan design of the Innovation Center*

With data reflecting a desire for more food options in the area as well, we also felt it was important to implement food into the center. We designed a 2nd floor cafe with vendor booths and seating for people of all ages to get food while they waited for the bus. Additionally, a large part of this project was incorporating job opportunities since many of the youth we talked to mentioned wanting to make money and support themselves. Youth can work at the Youth Desk, helping their peers with public transit, or even sell food and baked goods in the cafe, developing strong entrepreneurship and life skills. Outside of the transit center, we also designed an exciting greenway trailhead with skating, splash pads, seating and more as well as a Youth Ways shuttle system that would serve only youth and take them to destinations like school, malls, restaurants, and more. Overall, since accessibility is such an important part of creating a thriving community, we wanted to make sure that youth felt they could comfortably use and reach the spaces dedicated to them at Global Mall.

*Youth-informed site plan for the trailhead as a part of Metro Parks’ Plan to Play program*

Arts District

Our goal when designing the arts district was to curate a space that celebrates youth-oriented creativity. In our collected data, youth repeatedly expressed their desire for the arts to be incorporated, whether that be drawing, playing their instruments, dancing, etc. Creative activities such as visual arts and performing arts can be exercised and expressed freely in this space through community-painted murals and private practice rooms, which we designed based on focus group responses. In the district, we designed a large green space area surrounded by the painted murals and sidewalks. In the proposed performing arts center adjacent to the green space, the practice rooms for the musically interested will be available to all. Activities and commodities on the lawn will include things like public seating, accessible walkways, and an outdoor theater for free movies. Overall, the arts district will be a safe place for youth and the community to have a healthy, creative outlet.

Community Center

The main goal with this project was to expand on the existing youth centered spaces in the community center and make them even more welcoming and exciting for youth. From the data, youth said that they want safe spaces to hang out with their friends and want access to a variety of things to do. In order to bring balance and a variety to the activities in the center, we designed a lounge to destress, a multipurpose room, and a gaming room. The lounge (Figure 6) includes a calm color scheme, comfortable chairs, and warm lighting. The multipurpose room includes storage organizers, space for clubs to gather, a projector for presentations, and a court that can be used for volleyball, basketball, and soccer. All of these sections of the multipurpose court are divided by curtains that can be lifted and lowered. The game room includes arcade games, vending machines, and colorful art along the walls. Overall, we wanted to create a place where youth will have full accessibility, safety, and independence in the community center. Having a healthy community is essential because the environment we live in shapes our lifestyle.

Town Square

We designed the town square which included gazebos, parks, a fountain, basketball courts, gardens, and a place to walk. We started with brainstorming ideas and mapping out where things would go on the town square. We wanted to have spaces for getting energy out, socializing, and for resting. While we were researching what to implement in our design, we noticed that a large majority of youth, specifically aged 6-9, wanted spaces outside for getting energy out; because of this we added a playground as well as a versa court for a wide range of sports.

Versa courts serve as multi-functional sports courts that enable youth to play multiple games like tennis, four square, pickleball, and much more. We incorporated versa courts into our design for the most effective and efficient way for multiple sports to be played in one place. We also implemented a shaded track that would have art and design aspects related to the surrounding buildings (the community center, the college, the high school, and the innovation district) to represent the community and to further connect them. As for socializing and resting, we added picnic benches, a pavilion, a community garden, and gazebos along the shaded track.

Next Steps

At the Youth Voice Exhibition, we excitedly shared our research and designs with the broader community. This involved us sharing a presentation of our research methods and designs in addition to our designs being displayed around the room. We engaged in conversation with community members ranging from a state representative’s office to afterschool program organizations to university researchers who came to the exhibition. From the Exhibition, we hope that influential attendees and advocates will act upon our design recommendations.

We would love to be involved and work with the Implementation Team proposed by the Global Mall master plan. As development of the site occurs, we want to ensure youth perspectives are being considered. More specifically, we would love to continue to talk and collaborate with Councilwoman Styles about development in Antioch. Additionally, we would love to continue talking with administrative folks at the Community Center about the continuation and expansion of youth programming.

A future Global Mall Geared towards Youth

Evaluating the Context

Site-by-Site Design Concepts

Next Steps

YOUTH TAKES: AFFORDABLE HOUSING