Street Seats 2023

^{Construction Images shot on film by Jac Clayton}

Objective

Fall 2023 Semester New School Part Time Faculty went on strike. This created the opportunity for students from all colleges within The New School to meet, organize, dance, and shout together in support of our part time faculty. Students that never would have met if school were in session came together during this shared experience. Throughout the following semester a group of students worked alongside Parsons School of Design and the NYC Department of Transportation to erect a public seating space for the East Village community. Students collaborated on conceptual ideation, budgeting/schedule management, material selction, and building execution. I worked alongside four of my peers to make up the Admin team who helped faciliate the design process during class, organized our 18 classmates into teams based on their strengths to execute the project.

Our Initial Goal

>> to create space for students and community memebers to gather
>> to create space for collaboration between students at different colleges at The New School and utilization by clubs and classes during the school year
>> integrate plant life and greenery into our daily landscapes
>> utilize collaborative design practices and sustainable methods and materials

^{Classroom Images from Professor Mike Verbos}

Approach

Through weekly Studio time and class discussions we worked towards a couple of iterations and prototypes that then were developed into 3D models. These models were then proposed to DOT structural engineers and Parsons Faculty, Administration, and Facilities. After designs were approved by each stakeholder we moved forward in aquiring materials and fabrication. The modules were intentionally designed to be prefabricated in shop facilities allowing for easy onsite hoisting and assembly.

Result

After a bit of physcial labor and last minute pivots our final result stands on the courner of 13th and 5th in the East Village outside of The New School University Center where you will find see students and community members enjoying the space on any sunny New York day. This project sits in the intersections of my interests and was very benificial in a continued learning of patience and persistance that I hope to bring into every project that I work on.