Families in New York are strugling with high living costs, especially childcare costs which can consume up to 50% of a family’s income. Also, only one in four eligible families receive childcare assistance, leading to widespread childcare deserts. Considering the citywide economical and environmental hardships of childcare and electricity are worse in low-income families which are mostly located in outer boroughs, a proposal to transform transit-oriented development (TOD) into Family Oriented Development (FOD) is put forward, utilizing the proposed Interborough Express (IBX) to connect underserved areas. By infusing the IBX corridor with clean, affordable energy and family-oriented facilities the aim is to reduce living costs and improve quality of life.
As a pilot project of FOD, a site between Brownsville and East New York in Brooklyn was selected. This site features intersecting transportation modes and a cityowned vacant rail yard with development potential. Despite current challenges, the area has the potential for excellent public spaces and improved transit connections.
FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN ARE LEAVING NYC
NYC Population projection 2000-2030 of children under 5 years
NYC Population of children under 5 years
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN NEED TO MAKE DOUBLE TO ATTAIN A MODEST LIVING STANDARD IN NYC
Median Income - Households of Families with Children
Needed Income - Cost Breakdown
PARENTS LEFT JOBS DUE TO A LACK OF ACCESSIBLE CHILDCARE, WHICH COSTS NYC $23B IN LOST ECONOMIC
OUTPUT
Childcare Center Capacity - Infants/Toddlers
150K -$23B 6% 70K
375,000 PARENTS LEFT or downshifted jobs due to a lack of access to childcare - $23 BILLION LESS in economic output
$6 BILLION LESS in disposable income
$2 BILLION LESS in tax revenue
Among the 100 largest metro areas, the New York metro area ranks 8th in cost of living but only 52nd in median family income, making it the most expensive area to live relative to income. Childcare costs can consume up to 50% of a family’s income, with families in the Bronx and Brooklyn facing the highest burdens, sometimes up to 63%. Pre-K for All programs apply only to three- and four-year-olds, and only one in four income-eligible families receive government assistance. The capacity for childcare centers is low, leading to many community districts living in childcare deserts. Affordable, quality childcare is essential for economic stability. Lack of access leads to job instability, harms children’s development, and drives families out of the city. In 2022, an estimated 350,000 NYC parents left or downshifted their jobs due to a lack of access to childcare, resulting in significant economic losses.
The site integrates multiple transportation modes, with light manufacturing to the east, row houses to the west, and NYCHA housing to the north. Served by MTA lines 3 and L, freight rail, and proposed IBX, the focus lies on the city-owned vacant rail yard, offering developmental potential. To optimize the railyard, rezoning for denser, family-oriented programs is proposed, adding to current light manufacturing and residential zoning. Integration strategies for the IBX prioritize accessible and affordable family programs, with childcare centers on the second floor. Improved accessibility, a landscaped plaza, and walkable canopy aim to create inclusive outdoor spaces for community interaction.
Existing Section Condition Current Zoning
Prioritizing site circulation improves connectivity, addressing current challenges such as reliance on a small pedestrian bridge. By envisioning an open site, travel paths were adjusted, resulting in diamond-shaped forms that informed the design massings. The proposal adopts this formal language, evident in massing, sun shading, seating, and atrium designs. At its heart lies a walkable canopy and plaza, serving as vibrant, enriched open spaces where children can thrive, fostering community cohesion. Elevated above street level, these public areas bridge the gap between neighborhoods.
Programmatic organization revolves around essential family and community services, centralized around the main plaza. Green spaces and child-focused amenities are core elements on every level. Two childcare centers on the second floor interact with a ground-floor senior center. North-side facilities encompass energy storage, job centers, and offices, while the south side hosts a wellness center and library. Markets and stores are easily accessible on the ground floor, aligning with the IBX platform, while residential units occupy floors three to twelve.
Affordable housing - 3F~10F
Library - Accessible from street level & the canopy
- Splash pad & event area
Affordable housing - 3F~10F
Childcare center - Accessible from the canopy
Senior center
- Accessible from street level
Interior view of the IBX platform
Exterior view of the main plaza & buildings
Communal Compound: The Cadence of Collective Living
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 805 Studio)
Los Angeles is often stereotyped as a city dominated by single-family homes, yet it harbors a rich history of communal living waiting to be unearthed. Our architectural endeavor is to delve into this obscured past, merging it with contemporary innovation to redefine the city’s living spaces.
Inspired by the 1920s collective living ethos exemplified by Schindler House, our design ethos seeks to foster interconnectedness and community engagement. Embracing L-shaped clusters, our vision integrates public gathering spaces seamlessly with more private, individual retreats. Sliding doors and extended flooring blur the lines between indoors and outdoors, inviting residents to embrace the vibrant Los Angeles climate and lifestyle. Additionally, rooftop spaces are repurposed as versatile hubs for communal activities, further enhancing the sense of shared living.
Thanksgiving at the Schindler House,1923, from the collections of the MAK Center
The communal-living scenario envisions four distinct yet interwoven populations residing in a series of cascaded clusters arranged around the site. These populations encompass parents or single parents with children, low-income seniors, artists, and international students, with the potential for spouses or children to accompany any of these individuals. Deliberately mixed within each cluster, these diverse groups contribute to a spectrum of “permanence” on the site; while parents and seniors may have partial ownership and reside for extended periods, artists and students may be more transient occupants. This intentional blending fosters an inclusive and vibrant community where each resident is valued equally, and where the unique attributes of each population enrich the collective experience. Through this eclectic mix, the community thrives and reinforces itself, creating a dynamic environment that embraces diversity and fosters mutual support.
45° Orthogonal Elevated Walkway
Rotating Repetitive Clusters
Four identical L-shape residential clusters rotate around the center one (amenities)
The SE cluster is pushed inwards to provide enough backyard areas & parking stalls, and its ground floor serves as ACU
The SW and the center cluster is rotated to offer different sense of public spaces on the ground level along the pathway
The center cluster is split into half and rotated to make an enough space to walk between buildings
Areas next to the center cluster is sunken to serve as a plaza and to collect rainwater. Big open spaces serve as playground, bbq, etc
The second floor areas are offset outwards and smaller than the ground floor, reducing overwhelmed feeling as a whole
A bridge on the second floor connects all clusters to provide casual networking and easy access to the public programs at the center
The third floor only occupies less than the half of the ground floor, serving as a rooftop sitting and sleeping room
Opportunities for inter- and intra-cluster communal interaction appear across the site in shared kitchens, at ground-level green spaces, and at points along the cascade of each cluster, traversed by a radiating network of elevated walkways
ThirdFloor
The housing features three typologies of units:
1. A basic module with a bedroom and a bathroom is distributed evenly on every floors. It serves seniors and university students on the ground floor, young parents and artists with with older K-12children on the second and the third floor.
2. An ADA comliant unit with a bedroom and a bathroom is located closest to the dropoff area on the ground floor for better accessibility, serving a senior and a single parent.
3. A small unit with a bedroom and a bathroom is located on the second and the third floor, serving university students and younger K-12 children.
SecondFloor
’ - 8 1/2”
GroundFloor
Basic Module (340 SF)
ADA Compliant (380 SF)
Small Unit (280 SF)
Entry
Kitchen + Dining
Office + Study Room
Trash and Recycling Storage
ACU - Box Office
ACU - Backstage
ACU - Performance Hall
Yoga + Meditation
Playground
Kitchen + Dining
Bedroom
ACU - Restaurant + Bar
Entry
ACU - Performance Hall
Gate
ACU - Backstage
Office + Study Room
Yoga + Meditation
Trash and Recycling Storage
Gallery
ACU - Cafe
Outdoor BBQ
ACU - Box Office
Playground
Kitchen + Dining
ACU - Performance Hall
ACU - Backstage
Office + Study Room
Childcare
Trash and Recycling Storage
ACU - Cafe
ACU - Box Office
Exterior View of the Co-working Office & Communal Garden at the Middle Cluster
Interior View of the Communal Kitchen & Childcare at the North Cluster
Rainwater is collected from the roofs of housing units. The roofs act as catchment surfaces, channeling rainwater to designated collection points. Gutters are installed along the edges of the roofs to capture rainwater and direct it towards downspouts. Downspouts guide the rainwater from the gutters to a filtration system. Filters remove debris and contaminants from the collected rainwater, ensuring that it is suitable for irrigation. The filtered rainwater is then stored in an underground tank. This tank is placed underground to minimize its visual impact and maximize space efficiency. The sunken garden in the middle, a lower level than the surrounding ground, is a landscaped area designed to hold and use rainwater. A drip or spray irrigation system is integrated into the sunken garden, distributing the collected rainwater directly to the plants’ root zones, ensuring efficient water use. This system reduces dependence on traditional water sources by utilizing rainwater for landscaping needs, and the sunken garden enhances the aesthetics of the area, providing residents with pleasant outdoor activities such as outdoor yoga, meditation, cinema, etc.
Rainfall
Irrigation re-use
ELEVATION
COLOR PALETTE
Frayed Resiliency : Farragut
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 703 Studio)
Instructor: Erich Schoenenberger & Benjamin Martinson
Program: Residential (Mid-rise public housing)
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Partner: Jordan Henry
Situated at the confluence of major Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Dumbo, Fort Greene, the Navy Yards, and Downtown Brooklyn, the strategic location of Farragut serves as a gateway in the design. The discovery that Farragut residents, with predominantly lower annual income compared to surrounding neighborhoods, lack safeguards against extreme heat and related health risks influenced the design approach. The identified factors led to the conclusion that implementing a ‘greenway’ across the site could serve as a connecting element between the developed and undeveloped areas, bridging the gap between old and new while improving the quality of life for both current residents and the broader community.
The concept’s development involved leveraging the geometry of the existing Farragut towers. By encompassing them, repetitive shapes comprising arcs, tangent and straight lines were created. Manipulating these lines through offsetting, pushing, and pulling informed the site strategy. This strategy weaves through the interior and exterior of the site, forming varied sizes of open green spaces with different levels of intimacy and privacy.
1. Encompassing the existing Farragut towers
3. Weaving big open spaces of each group
2. Grouping towers with lines & Offsetting them
4. Offsetting the weaving lines with different width
NAVY YARD
DUMBO
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS
FORT GREENE
In accordance with this urban strategy, the lines were employed for massing by creating multiple sloping strips that merge, bifurcate, and fray both vertically and horizontally. These fraying strips give rise to three inner courtyards, facilitating the penetration of sunlight into the building. Additionally, they seamlessly integrate with the ground through smooth ramps, providing direct access from the ground to the second floor for the residents.
The fraying strips provide people with different kinds of open space. On the rooftop slopes which are accessible from stairs of top floors of each strip, residents can take a walk enjoying a beautiful view of Lower East Side Manhattan and the East river. On the ground level, the west strip connecting with one of the the existing Farragut Houses creates a shared office space and an inner courtyard where people can take a rest and mingle together. The strips on the ground level is also offsetted inside, which creates shelters from the rain and makes a big plaza between the existing Farragut building and the new building, and a library cafe opens to this plaza. The ground level’s strips are divided into three chunks which merge into one chunk on the upper floors and they create two main green corridors that open to the adjacent street. Two other green corridors from the south go up to the second floor of the new building and they eventually extend the strips following their geometry.
<- concept model of fraying strips
The strips are fraying and having slopes towards the north with different starting heights, which forms a podium chunk on the ground level that welcomes local community while being easily accessible from adjacent streets, Navy St and York St.
The inner courtyards are enclosed with a slanted frosted and clear glass on each side. They offer a big plaza on the first ground level, open to the sky, and provide a view of the plaza to the residents on the upper floors. Studio units are adjacent to the courtyards and can be expanded to one or two bedroom units. Two bedroom and three bedroom units with lofts are located on the upper floors where the strips end. Shared spaces with seats and shared open kitchens are located on the south ends of strips allowing residents to socialize with each other.
Lounge
Communal kitchen & dining
Laundry room
Atrium
Colorful terracotta tiles featuring vertical stripe patterns adorn the exterior walls. Windows are strategically positioned at every point where the walls bend inward. Metal screens, perforated with circles of varying sizes, not only create visually appealing patterns from a distance but also contribute to vibrant light and shade patterns within the units. The walls comprise a combination of terracotta panels, rigid insulation, cavity insulation, gypsum board, and plaster finish.
The ceiling is constructed using UHPC (Ultra-High Performance Concrete) panels anchored to a concrete slab with stainless steel brackets. Beneath the areas covered by metal screens and terracotta panels, 3” insulating glass units (IGU) serve as walls for the ground level, primarily facing northern areas. This design welcomes the local community and ensures accessibility from adjacent streets, namely Navy St and York St. 02
SECTION DETAIL
SECTION DETAIL
Scale: 3” = 1’-0”
Scale: 1” = 1’-0” 04
SECTION DETAIL
SECTION DETAIL
Scale: 3” = 1’-0”
Scale: 1” = 1’-0”
The Cathedral of Waste
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 704 Studio)
Instructor: Sara Lopergolo & Cristobal Correa
Program: Industrial (Waste-to-energy & Recycling & Art Production)
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Partner: Zeynep Görken
The Anable Basin, a 500-ft-long artificial inlet of the East River created in 1868 by developer Henry Sheldon Anable, is situated in Long Island City. Initially utilized for shipping and manufacturing during the city’s industrial peak, the basin faced decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Recent revitalization efforts respond to the trend of waterfront redevelopment, aiming to repurpose industrial spaces into a mixed-use community. This project seeks to transform the industrial waterfront into a dynamic space with a Waste-to-Energy facility, recycling center, art production facilities, and various commercial and recreational spaces. The primary goal is to enhance mobility convenience and accessibility while fostering active engagement within the building through diverse public spaces on different levels, including a cafe, open-floor-plan gallery, observation deck, immersive art space, and a rooftop skateboard park.
Architectural concepts feature innovative designs that marry functionality with aesthetic appeal. The design dives into the details of how form meets function. Beginning with a warm and open building on the western edge, seamlessly blending with the promenade, the design invites a harmonious integration of urban and natural elements. The ground level becomes a vibrant stage for interaction, featuring a café, an open-floor-plan gallery, and an information hub, injecting vitality into the community fabric. Two dynamic courtyards emerge, adapting effortlessly for market days, lively events, art exhibitions, and a practical bike station. Intentional segmentation mitigates overwhelming impressions, offering a refreshing contrast to the sturdy backdrop of surrounding buildings. In this symphony of architectural decisions, the design becomes not just a structure but a living, inclusive part of the area, providing an inviting and dynamic space for all to engage and enjoy
3. The green patches are weaved along the water as a car-free zone and a main pathway, isolated from the logistics circulation
1. Connect the isolated urban green patches while offering a spacious riverfront park
2. Locate Recycling Center on the west & WTE on the east, and the logistics circulation in the middle on the ground floor
4. Locate Art Production Facility and public programs on the upper floors while weaving two different programs underneath
4. Skateboard Park 3. Outdoor Exhibition 2. Riverfront Park
1. Green Promenade
5. Parking Lot
6. Bike Station
10. Waste Holding Area
9. Barging Area
8. Waste Unloading Area 7. Lobby
Employing a structural system featuring a 40’ span, 3’ girder depth, and 2’ MEP pipe depth, this design maintains a 12’ floor-to-ceiling height Cantilever areas are supported by 2D trusses or diagonal beams, while a space frame at the top ceiling upholds the curvy envelope. Space trusses are utilized in the column-free area to support the rooftop skateboard park.
Fenestration geometry aligns with massing in each elevation, complemented by 20’x12’ GFRC panels covering the envelope. Thin 7.5” diameter mullions create seamless-looking windows, and translucent polycarbonate windows illuminate the Waste-to-Energy facility with incinerator light.
3. Observation Deck 4. Ceramic Studio 5. Textile Studio
6. Immersive Art Exhibition
7. Incinerator
8. Hopping Area
9. Rooftop Skateboard Park
2. Print Shop
1. Metal Shop
Obeservation Deck on the 5th floor with the South View
5TH FLOOR PLAN
WTE - Incinerator
Art Production - Woodshop
WTE - Hopper
Art Production - Classroom
WTE - Waste Holding Area
WTE - Waste Unloading Area
Cafe & Lobby
WTE - Ash Collection
Art Production - Gallery
WTE - Convection Chamber
Observation Deck
WTE - Electrostatic Precipitation
Recycling Center
WTE - Flue Gas Treatment & Scrubber Reactor
Ceramic Studio
WTE - Furnace
Heat Transfer & Mechanical Room
Entry
Courtyard
Riverside Park
WTE - After Burning Area
Art Production - Printshop
Compos Mentis : Redhook Middle School
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 602 Studio)
Instructor: Hart Marlow
Program: Educational (School)
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Typology
1. Drawing
The process began with the selection of two formal logics that could be found in everyday life. The logics served as a basis for creating a hybrid drawing, interpreting and intertwining the languages of each logic . The hybrid drawing led to the revelation of a novel cloudlike figure characterized by straight sides and an arc tangential to them. The logic applied to transform this figure from 2D to 3D involved a slanted extrusion. This technique showcased tangent edges along the slope, and the extrusions, varying in size, were overlapped and blended together. The result resembled the intricate ornaments of the Rococo period, where individual shapes were challenging to distinguish from a distance due to their seamless fusion.
The slanted extrusion in this context serves as a symbolic representation, expressing a desire for friendly and peaceful connections among students. This sense of togetherness holds particular significance during the middle school years, positively influencing their overall school experience. To guarantee that these 3D figures boast practical and spacious interiors capable of accommodating diverse school programs, their shapes undergo a dual process of simplification and sophistication. Simplification ensures practical functionality, while sophistication is introduced through the incorporation of multiple spatial layers, encompassing diversified poche and infrastructure. This design approach yields 3D figures that not only symbolize friendship but also provide adaptable and well-organized spaces conducive to a variety of school activities.
The landscape follows the formal logic of the buildings with arches and lines, extending existing parameters. Main entries open the ground to the north streetside and south parkside, while sections gradually elevate. Circulations integrate outdoor courtyards, hallways, and stairs, blending seamlessly with interior spaces. The poche serves as seats, desks, shelves, light brackets, and an indoor playground, creating a dynamic learning environment. Loosely connected masses on the 1st floor form a large public space covered by the 2nd-floor mass, facilitating straightforward circulation for a fluid and accessible environment.
Auditorium
Cafe
Hallway
Cafe
Art studio
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
The Glitter of Wind: 590 Madison Ave
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 713 Mediums 3)
Instructor: Robert Cervellione
Program: Computational Facade Design
Location: Manhattan, NY, USA
590 Madison Ave, known as the IBM Building, was built in 1981 at the intersection of 57th Street and Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. This 43-story skyscraper is shaped like an irregular pentagon with a chamfered corner , reaches a height of 603 feet. The current envelope is comprised of 3.5’ x 5” panels of Canadian granite, which gives the building a prism-like appearance.
In its pursuit of sustainability and comfort for its occupants, a new computational envelope design is introduced in this project. In response to the challenge of solar radiation, twisting louvers are designed. These dynamic louvers adapt to the intensity of solar radiation in each area, offering optimal shading where sunlight is abundant. In high-solar-radiation zones, the louvers exhibit minimal twist, casting ample shade. Conversely, in low-solar-radiation areas, the louvers are twisted close to 90°, minimizing interior shadows while maximizing natural light penetration.
DESIGN
Moreover, the façade’s depth and distance from the curtain wall will be tailored to optimize wind flow dynamics . In areas with high wind velocity, the distance from the building envelope will increase by up to 5”, facilitating unimpeded airflow. These strategically positioned panels, twisted at between 30~120° angle, serve dual purposes: harnessing wind energy and providing structural resistance. Equipped with piezoelectric pressure sensors, these panels generate electricity as they encounter wind force. This harvested energy can be stored and utilized to illuminate the façade and surrounding streets, or power LED strips embedded within the aluminum frames supporting the panels.
SOLAR RADIATION (HIGH)
LOUVER ROTATION DEGREE: 30~60°
WIND FLOW (HIGH)
LOUVER DISTANCE FROM THE CURTAINWALL :
SOLAR RADIATION (MID)
LOUVER ROTATION DEGREE: 100~120°
WIND FLOW (MID)
SOLAR RADIATION (LOW)
LOUVER ROTATION DEGREE: 80~100°
WIND FLOW (LOW)
LOUVER DISTANCE FROM THE
C = Compression
= Tension
= Wind Force
= Width
= Height
= CW
= FH/W
The envisioned result is a façade that transcends mere functionality to become a dynamic expression of sustainable design and urban vitality. Dubbed “the glitter of wind,” this innovative envelope not only mitigates solar discomfort but also engages citizens with vibrant illuminations and patterns. Seamlessly integrating with wind flow patterns, it forms a self-sustaining energy loop, embodying the future of urban architecture.
STRETCHING
BENDING
Elastomeric piezoelectric toroids
Flexible shaft
URBAN PLANNING & DESIGN
Yangjae Tech+City Master Plan
Professional Project (Into Engineering & Architecture)
• Faciliatation of mixed-use developments supporting R&D activities
- Research labs
- Testing facilities
- Innovation centers
- Cafes - Co-working offices
- Green space
[ Expansion of research spaces for large corporations ]
[ Utilization of public and private lands ]
• Management of low-rise residential areas
- Designation of building setback lines to secure pedestrian space along the main entrance road which can be used to create wider sidewalks and other public amenities
[ Providing various urban support functions through deregulation ]
- Transportation hubs
- Public facilities
- Commercial centers
2
Knowledge-based industries coexistence area
• Aboilition of Distribution Facilities around the Yanghae Interchange
- Designation of Special Districts after the abolition of Distribution Facilities
- Designation of 12 public plazas and 2m-10m public open space in building front
ZONE Urban support infrasturcture
ZONE
Yangjae Citizen’s Forest
Maljukgeori Park
KT
LG Electronics
Yangjae Culture and Arts Park
The K Hotel
Umyeon Mountain
Seoul Institute of Health and Environment
Yangjae Citizen’s
Gangnamdaero
Yangjae Station (Sinbundang Line)
Yangjae Stream
Yeoui Stream
Yangjae Interchange
ZONE 3
Regional specialization & R&D SMEs cultivation area
[ Regional specialization for fostering small and medium-sized R&D and enhancing placemaking ]
• Streetscape Improvement Project (Dongsan-ro)
• Land Use Adjustable Area (Maeheon District Center)
- Designation of potential upzoning area from General Residential Zone to Quasi-Residential Zone along Gangnamdaero
- Designation of potential upzoning area towards Type 3 General Residential Zone along the back row of Gangnamdaero
ZONE 1 support infrasturcture complex
Guryong Mountain
Dalter Park
Yangjae Neibourhood Park
Gangnamdaero Interchange
Since the designation of the Gaepo Land Development Zone in the 1980s, the Yangjae Tech+City Masterplan area has experienced substantial growth, evolving into a self-sufficient hub for small, medium, and large-scale R&D companies. The 2040 Seoul City Master Plan positions Yangjae as a future innovation hub for AI and R&D, while the 2030 Seoul Neighborhood Plan emphasizes its specialization in high-tech industries to enhance global competitiveness and drive growth in the southeast region of Seoul. The release of Distribution Facilities near the Yangjae IC in 2016 is expected to promote mixed-use development.
Organized into three major zones, the master plan aims to introduce R&D facilitating and support functions. It envisions Yangjae as a self-sufficient R&D facility hub, with plans for large-scale facilities like R&D campuses, urban high-tech logistics centers, and AI support centers. To achieve this, the plan proposes abolishing Distribution Facilities and relaxing urban planning regulations to secure R&D-related spaces for small and medium-sized companies. The goal is to enhance the sense of place by linking excellent amenities, creating residential and specialized streets, and attracting outstanding researchers.
CURRENT YANGJAE DISTRICT
The Yangjae Tech+City Masterplan area is predominantly private land, occupying 83% of the total area. Community facilities make up 43%, while residential areas account for 47%. A significant portion, approximately 85%, comprises buildings over 20 years old, indicating a growing number of aging structures in the area.
Recognizing the need for comprehensive R&D support, new building use codes are proposed. These include small research labs, testing facilities, networking cafes, co-working spaces, neighborhood retail shops, cultural facilities, accommodations, and studio apartments, aiming to facilitate diverse R&D programs.
Strengthening R&D and Creating Multifunctional Hubs
Mixed-use development of large sites
Release of distribution facility & Designation of special districts
Special districts within current distribution facilities will be designated, coupled with the relaxation of regulations in the Apartment Construction Guideline. This initiative aims to provide creative talents in the R&D industry with dedicated spaces for residence and diverse work and collaboration environments.
A one-step upzoning is feasible for land with a standardized shape of 1,000 square meters or more. This aims to expand small and medium-sized R&D spaces within residential areas, subject to a condition of 10-15% public contribution for areas of Type 2 upzoned to Type 3 residential, and 20% for those of Type 2 upzoned to Quasi-Residential.
Potential Upzoning Area to Introduce Residential (Maeheon District)
Start-up Incubation Street
Autonomic Driving Street with Showrooms on the Ground Level
Maeheon District
Eonnam-gil
Dongsan-ro
Current Land Use
Upzoned Land Use
Current Building Height
Proposed Building Height
Proposed Eligible Facilities & Relaxation of R&D Program Ratio for the R&D Business Activation
Research Dedicated Space
(more than 40% of the total space)
Research Support Space
(less than 60% of the total space)
Company with a Dedicated Research and Development Department
Knowledge Industry Center
Corporate-affiliated Research Institute (NEW) (NEW) (NEW)
Business Facilities (excluding Efficiency Apartments)
Educational Research Facility
Residential Accomodation Facilities (for rent)
Data Centers
Childcare Facilities
Eldercare Facilities
Cultural Facilities (performance, exhibition, etc)
Dormitories
Tourist Accomodation Facilities (hotels) Multifamily Housing Business Facilities (Efficiency Apartments)
Community Facilities
Retail Facilities
Cultural Facilities (small ones)
Medical Facilities
Sports Facilities
Guro Jugong Apartment Reconstruction Plan
Professional Project (Into Engineering & Architecture)
Program: Residential (High-rise housing)
Location: Guro, Seoul, South Korea
Role : Project Leader
• Site Survey
• Resident Survey
• Land Use Plan
• Circulation/Transportation Plan
• Drafting Proposal Documents
• Administrative Procedures
Guil Elementary School
Guil High School
Anyang Stream
Singuro Reservoir Ecological Park
Guil Middle School
Hyundai Yeonyein Apartment
Guro Train Yard (planned for relocation)
Guro Jugong Apartment, a sprawling 1.3-million-square-foot complex in southwestern Seoul, was constructed in 1986. In 2018, after 32 years, the apartment complex received a safety diagnosis grade D, prompting the need for reconstruction. The Guro Housing Reconstruction Plan ensued to designate the area as a renewal district in accordance with relevant adjacent development such as Guro Rail Yard Post-Transfer Mixed-Use Development. The site encompasses 19 residential buildings and 10 non-residential buildings, accommodating a total of 2,126 households (5,266 people). Current land use includes residential, road, public office, and welfare and religious facilities. The main entrance, situated in the southwestern part of the site, facilitates both pedestrian and vehicular access through ground-based mixed traffic streets.
The site’s current land use encompasses residential, road, public office, and welfare and religious facilities. A primary entrance is situated in the southwestern section, with both pedestrians and vehicles utilizing ground-based mixed traffic streets. However, the presence of mixed traffic streets and the lack of underground parking facilities result in inconvenience for residents when entering and exiting the apartments.
The proposed land use plan aims to establish ample space between buildings and optimize their layout, minimizing shading on the north-located schools. Aligned with the masterplan for Guro Rail Yard, set to be implemented after its relocation to Gwangmyeong City, the new plan considers traffic circulation and new residential areas. A significant park under the Reconstruction Ordinance is designated in the northwest, near the school, offering accessibility to all residents and the surrounding neighborhood. To enhance building layout efficiency, the road alignment within the complex is adjusted, giving the residential land a more rectangular appearance. Additionally, amenities and welfare facilities for residents, originally situated along the road, are repositioned near the main gate adjacent to the boulevard.
1. Create a landscape which harmonize with surrounding natural environment
2. Increase green spaces within the site
3. Secure the optimum sunshine hours for nearby schools
4. Build diverse community complex facilities for residents
5. Make more parking areas underground for better pedestrian environment
PROPOSED BUILDINGS & PUBLIC SPACE & CIRCULATION
The main gate of the apartment complex will retain its original position, while the implementation of exclusively underground parking lots will enhance the walking environment by separating vehicular and pedestrian flows. Four entrances to the underground parking lots will be strategically positioned for quick external access. Upon entering the complex, a main plaza will greet residents, complemented by small plazas and green areas in front and behind each building, creating abundant open space and a clear landscape axis.
Pedestrian pathways connecting these open spaces contribute to the creation of a pleasant living environment.
Community facilities like senior citizen centers, libraries, daycare centers, and neighborhood commercial buildings were strategically placed near
The number of households : 3,351
The number of stories : B3 - 35F
FAR : 3
Building Coverage Ratio : 20%
Unit Size
Guil Elementary School
Guil High School
Anyang Stream
Singuro Reservoir Ecological Park
Guil Middle School
near the northern parking lot entrance and along the main road.
Hyundai Yeonyein Apartment
Guro Train Yard (planned for relocation)
ADDENDUM
Intergrated Circuit
Academic Project (Pratt Institute GAUD M.Arch - 612 Mediums2)
Instructor: Hart Marlow
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
From the existing large of Higgins Hall, a new chunk emerges with distinct shapes and parameters through modifications to the poche. The transition from 2D to 3D is further enhanced, incorporating upgraded textures, coloration, and materials while retaining the original circulation concept. Multiple iterations of adding and subtracting different scales of repetitive curves result in the final chunk having its own circuit system, reminiscent of an integrated circuit.
Crocheting uses a single thread to generate elastic surfaces, with loops interlocking row by row. This technique allows for the creation of complex three-dimensional volumes without breaking the thread’s continuity. By applying hyperbolic geometry, multiple linkages and emergent forms can be achieved. By examining crochet’s topological traits and ductility, the project tests how different materials and structures can adapt in volatile environments and transforms crochet from a traditional craft into an architectural design method, creating innovative, “fluffy” shelters. The project combines computational analysis and physical prototypes to explore the spatial characteristics of crocheted fabric. Custom modifications to robotic arms enable architectural scale crochet operations, refining mechanics like tensioning and stitch variation. Ongoing analog prototyping addresses the challenge of selecting large-scale, flexible, and strong fiber materials.
Interestingly, although the materials appear industrial, they provide comfort when crocheted into enclosed spaces. This insight suggests that crochet techniques can be expanded to create habitable structures using environmentally friendly materials, such as basket reed made from cane plants.
