Project by Hao Lin and Emma Yergat
This proposal began by studying existing voids, air shafts, windows, and circulation cores across four pre-war residential buildings. Renovations focus on combining circulation and units to minimize entryways and increase unit square footage. Single units are combined into two-bedroom family units with new transom windows, allowing cross ventilation.
In the legacy of La Sala de Pepe, and related references, “la sala” spaces are introduced throughout for domestic overflow between family units. Through the voids, where walls are partially removed, brick is reused as ground material for park landscaping and the ground floor, allowing space for growth between bricks.
The existing NYPD parking lot becomes an outdoor “la sala” community garden. The garden level of 334 E. 5th Street becomes a functioning greenhouse that extends into the community garden. The commercial space becomes a double-height daycare for families, while the ground floor blurs the boundary between greenhouse, circulation, and garden spaces.
