This project explores a design response to land subsidence in a typical New York City tenement building, a frequently overlooked yet growing issue in dense urban environments. Prompted by a case in the East Village where nearby construction destabilized a historic rent-controlled building, the project investigates how structural reinforcement can preserve both livability and heritage in vulnerable buildings.
Unlike the original narrow railroad-style units, the reinforced interior allows for more flexible layouts—including studio and two-bedroom apartments—and the addition of shared community spaces. The basement houses an affordable market for essential goods, while the ground floor supports communal programming such as events and workshops.
This approach reframes renovation not as a reactive measure but as a proactive strategy for social and architectural resilience. Rather than defaulting to demolition or vacancy, the project offers a model for retrofitting aging buildings to support both tenants and communities in the long term.
