The Powell Street Garden in Brownsville, Brooklyn, has long sought an indoor space for gathering and education. This is the project Professor Ali C. Höcek of ACHA brought to the second-year Master of Architecture studio in spring 2018, tapping into the students’ creativity, drive, and community mindedness.

During the semester, students worked with a cadre of in- and out-of-house professional consultants, the NYC Parks GreenThumb program, community leaders, city agency officials, political representatives, and private businesses, among them the Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation, a local non-profit that has programs at several local community gardens.

The resulting 2,000-square-foot pavillion design includes both indoor and open-air space and environmental features such as rainwater collection tanks for irrigation.

After the conclusion of the studio, Davian Ellis M Arch ’18 continued working on the construction documents. Since then, a CCNY B Arch alum (and current CCNY MS Sustainability student) who also works at ACHA, Sarwat Yunus, has continued working on the project. With the final design complete, the Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation is seeking permitting to begin construction.

Read more about this project and other local work by Professor Höcek in this recent BK Reader article.