Project by, Violeta Mastronardi, Georgios Koltiris
Our project addresses indebted young professionals in New York City, a demographic facing escalating tuition costs, long-term debt, and unaffordable housing. Reinterpreting Steven Holl’s Alphabetical City, we designed a hybrid complex where residents exchange excess private square footage for a broader range of communal and recreational spaces. Organized through modular clusters, the project balances autonomy with community: each minimum unit provides spaces for rest, work, and hygiene, while shared amenities include co-working areas, courtyards, childcare, and cooperative storage for bulk goods. The stacking of O, U, L, and I-shaped modules introduces sunlight, air circulation, and spatial diversity, creating both intimate and collective zones. Building on the preexisting ethos of sharing in New York City, this alternative model of living promotes affordability, solidarity, and social cohesion, ensuring young professionals can remain and thrive in the city.
