Marked by a generous covered plaza which welcomes both impromptu gatherings and New York City’s successful NYC Greenmarket program, Modellus Novus approached this NYCHA proposal for senior-first housing as an opportunity to encourage gathering, physical activity, and a connection between indoors and outdoors. In an effort to combat the detrimental physical and mental health effects of isolation and loneliness in aging populations, the completed proposal encourages active and passive gathering at different scales throughout the space.

The project’s focus was the use of shared space to foster community. Green spaces cultivate organic interactions; a covered plaza provides a fresh air venue for large-scale events, or simply a secure place from which to watch the neighborhood; a shared dining room is naturally illuminated by a skylit roof; fresh-air living rooms allow for easy gathering directly adjacent to individual apartments; event spaces spill outside onto planted terraces; and shared recreation rooms atop the building accommodate gardening and physical activity with views over the city.