Commonthread | Brooklyn, NY

This community prototype emphasizes a focused strategy on genuine sustainability and cost efficiency, integrating essential residential, commercial, cultural, and institutional elements within a single block. It effectively revives the traditional urban planning approach popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, which prioritized local provision of goods and services to communities.

The key benefit of this model is the convenience it offers residents, placing vital neighborhood amenities within walking distance, or at most, a city block away. Specifically, this concept is applied to the Gowanus - Red Hook area of Brooklyn. By identifying and leveraging various value chains, the community is designed as a comprehensive 'all-in-one' hub. Here, families can access educational, commercial, and cultural resources easily. Moreover, the inclusion of a working farm not only supplies fresh, locally-sourced produce to residents but also contributes to the market, aiding in offsetting the development's operational expenses. This approach further aids in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, underscoring the project's commitment to sustainability.

Client: Mayor's Office for Long Term Planning + Sustainability / EPA, USA | Location: Brooklyn, New York | Project Type: Housing and commercial | Size: 140,000 ft2 / 12,830 m2 | Project Status: Proposal, 2008

Design Lead: HTDSTUDIO New York

Commonthread: Hyperlocal Community for Global Applications / HTDSTUDIO, Alison Furuto, ArchDaily.com

"NEW Panel Layout for Competition, Vol. 1, 2 & 3", DAMDI Architectural Publishing Co. damdi.co.kr, Seoul, South Korea ISBN 978-89-91111-83-7, 952 pp. in 3 Volumes / Hard Cover / Eng / Kor