My main project focus is open space on the ground floor of a NYCHA building. At the moment, a large amount of it is not actively used by the residents of the block or even the general public. This is mainly because it is just a big open field with nothing to interact with; there are only residential units and storage units. The project objective is to make better use of the ground floor open space it occupies and improve interactions occurring within. This is a renovation project of a NYCHA building, and I wanted to change as little as possible to avoid gentrification. Also, I wanted to see if I could change the whole dynamic by just changing the bottom few floors. Right now, the NYCHA block is acting as an urban island surrounded by fences. It refuses to interact with the city life of Harlem. I wish to give the outer side of the block back to the public with urban programs. In doing so, the rigid, rectangular NYCHA block is concaved to make space. At the same time, masses are pushed in towards the center, making a community space for the residents.
