Hans Maarten Wikkerink Marcy Houses A case study of social housing in New York City 327 South 5th street, #2 Brooklyn, NY, 11211 +1 212 3901481 hmwikkerink@gmail.com www.hmwikkerink.com
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture Graduation Projects 2015-2016
Architecture
Hans Maarten Wikkerink Marcy Houses A case study of social housing in New York City
If anything is typical of the demographics of New York City, it is its character of enclaves. While higher level demographic data show a diverse, vibrant melting pot, small-scale New York City is relatively segregated. This seems to work just fine in most neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the poorest New Yorkers. Since the 1930s, they have been housed in large-scale housing developments popularly referred to as ‘projects’. Over 400,000 people live in these subsidised houses, divided over 334 developments. The majority of these neighbourhoods are based on the ‘Towers in the Park’ scheme. They breathe modernism and a top-down urban design mentality. The fact that they have a waiting list of 200,000 people is an indication of its continuing relevance. The Marcy Houses in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn are a representative example of a housing ‘project’. They are situated in a beautiful area of central Brooklyn and they are surrounded by picturesque neighbourhoods where a happy middle class finds identity. However, the Marcy Houses themselves are often referred to as a neighbourhood with a lot of problems. With the need for 50% more social housing than currently available, that also has to be funded in a different way than has traditionally been done. I am adding 25% more market-rate apartments and commercial spaces, on top of the 50% extra social housing. As such, densification and diversification not only becomes desirable from a socio-economic perspective, but also from a purely economic and affordability standpoint. The Marcy Projects should be proud like New York City, showing off their resilience, as well as their richness in diversity and history.
Graduation date 29 08 2016
Commission members Laurens Jan ten Kate (mentor) Marcel van der Lubbe Gus Tielens
Additional members for the examination Elsbeth Falk Machiel Spaan
Hans Maarten Wikkerink
Architecture
Existing Marcy Houses
Marcy Houses master plan
Adjacent street view
Entry way
Street view
Corner building
Hans Maarten Wikkerink
Superimposition of new grid
Partial demolition
Second floor
Brooklyn typologies for newly-built volumes
Difference in ceiling height old and new
Architecture
Gallery
Inner courtyard
Hans Maarten Wikkerink
Standard apartment
Split level special
Model master plan
Image caption
Triplex loft
Western facade
Model building
Amsterdam Academy of Architecture Architect, Master of Science Urbanist, Master of Science Landscape Architect, Master of Science
With the inclusion of the course in Urbanism in 1957 and Landscape Architecture in 1972, the Academy is the only architecture school in the Netherlands to bring together the three spatial design disciplines under one roof. Some 350 guest tutors are involved in teaching every year. Each of them is a practising designer or a specific expert in his or her particular subject. The three heads of department also have design practices of their own in addition to their work for the Academy. This structure yields an enormous dynamism and energy and ensures that the courses remain closely linked to the current state of the discipline. The courses consist of projects, exercises and lectures. First-year and second-year students also engage in morphological studies. Students work on their own or in small groups. The design
projects form the backbone of the syllabus. On the basis of a specific design assignment, students develop knowledge, insight and skills. The exercises are focused on training in those skills that are essential for recognising and solving design problems, such as analytical techniques, knowledge of the repertoire, the use of materials, text analysis, and writing. Many of the exercises are linked to the design projects. The morphological studies concentrate on the making of spatial objects, with the emphasis on creative process and implementation. Students experiment with materials and media forms and gain experience in converting an idea into a creation. During the periods between the terms there are workshops, study trips in the Netherlands and abroad, and other activities. This is also the preferred moment for international exchange projects. The Academy regularly invites foreign students for the workshops and recruits wellknown designers from the Netherlands and further afield as tutors. Graduates from the Academy of Architecture are entitled to the following titles: Architect, Master of Science; Urbanist, Master of Science and Landscape Architect, Master of Science.
Architecture
Architects, urbanists and landscape architects learn the profession at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture through an intensive combination of work and study. They work in small, partly interdisciplinary groups and are supervised by a select group of practising fellow professionals. There is a wide range of options within the programme so that students can put together their own trajectory and specialisation.