The Living Block reimagines the neighborhood in a cityscape where community has been overshadowed by commercial expansion. This project challenges and repositions the traditional role of the architect, shifting from mere design to active mediation, positioning the architect as a facilitator of civic dialogue and a designer of the process itself.
Historically, Park Avenue evolved from farmland in 1815 to townhouses by 1885, towering residential blocks in 1916. The 2000s, however, marked a dramatic change as commercial developments erased these vibrant neighborhoods, replacing them with isolated, single-use structures.
The Living Block addresses this loss by proposing a model that reintroduces the community through a series of transformative negotiations. These are not just compromises; they reshape the urban fabric by fostering shared spaces and connections. This approach suggests that the future of cities lies in the relationships that shape them, not just their physical structures.
Through iterative and exploratory processes, each negotiation within The Living Block—whether a shared corridor or a repurposed backyard—reinforces the neighborhood’s lost intimacy. The project is a living laboratory, illustrating how active negotiations can redefine urban blocks, emphasizing community over isolation and transforming architecture into a catalyst for resilient, interconnected urban environments.
