Location context
Wider Location – The site is situated not far from Crotona Park — a vital green oasis in this part of the Bronx. The park serves as a community hub, offering recreational opportunities and hosting social events such as open-air cinema screenings, concerts, and local fairs. Its proximity enhances the livability and communal spirit of the neighborhood.
Narrow Location – The chosen site is an empty plot embedded within an existing block. The design completes the street façade, respecting the rhythm and materiality of the surrounding buildings. Architectural elements such as brickwork, concrete lintels, and stone sills are carefully incorporated to ensure continuity and cohesion within the urban fabric.
Plot Organization
By aligning with the regulatory building line and slightly retracting from the property boundary, a planted front yard is created. This green space serves as a semi-public garden accessible to all residents, promoting interaction and relaxation.
A shared rear yard provides additional communal space, enhanced by an external staircase that connects to the cellar level. This lower-level area is envisioned as a flexible, multifunctional space—adaptable to the tenants’ needs. It may function as additional storage, a community room, or other accessory uses that support residential living.
Building Organization
The building is structured around a central vertical core, providing efficient circulation and clear spatial organization. Each floor is divided into two apartments — one oriented toward the quieter, green courtyard (west side), and the other facing the lively street front (east side). The ground floor includes a studio apartment with direct access to the rear yard, while the upper floors feature 1-bedroom units. Tenants also benefit from roof access, offering additional exterior space that complements the shared front and rear yards.
Organization of the Apartments
The building consists of one ground-floor studio and six 1-bedroom apartments, each thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality within a compact footprint — averaging 430 square feet per unit. Integrated kitchens with dedicated pantry space, generous built-in storage, and bedroom closets (in select units) offer a high level of livability. Double-hung windows bring in natural light, while individually installed PTAC heating and cooling units are positioned below the windows and masked by custom-designed exterior grilles. These grilles not only preserve the aesthetics of the façade but also subtly frame the windows as architectural elements.