2024 - Casa Verde

Nestled within the bustling heart of New York City, a sterile expanse of unused office space stands poised for a remarkable metamorphosis. Realizing a need for the revitalization of this neglected land, Casa Verde imagines a vibrant sanctuary of urban living – a haven where sustainability and comfort converge in the midst of the city’s concrete jungle. This transformation would serve as a prototype of new urban living, giving new purpose to an otherwise unused space. Rooted in the desire to infuse new vitality into dormant land while addressing the city’s urgent housing needs, this projects seeks to recycle and repurpose the existing building’s materials and structure, breathing new vitality into this landmark. Acknowledging the transformative potency of sunlight, the design meticulously orchestrates architectural elements to flood the building with luminosity and warmth. Strategic building orientation maximizes the infusion of daylight into living spaces and removal of sections of the original structure allows further daylight penetration into the resident’s living spaces. These choices not only elevate the visual appeal of the apartments but also nurture the well-being and productivity of their occupants. These architectural interventions serve as conduits for sunlight, guiding its radiance into the interiors while crafting captivating spatial experiences. The outcome is a seamless fusion of light and shadow, blurring the boundaries between indoor comfort and outdoor allure. Beyond its aesthetic charm, this project is firmly grounded in principles of sustainability and ecological stewardship. Central to its design is the integration of expansive public areas within the architectural voids – verdant green spaces that function as the building’s lungs, cleansing the air and offsetting its carbon footprint. These lush oases not only offer respite from urban chaos but also foster community bonds among residents, nurturing social connections and collective health by creating a mixed use building, nesting the living spaces between two large exterior gardens, while also providing gathering spaces on each floor.