Van Alen Impact Report 2023-24

VAN ALEN INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2023

Community Conversation: Points of Agreement at Van Alen Block Party.

Photo: Cameron Blaylock

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRO PROGRAMS PEOPLE FINANCES

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Although Van Alen Institute celebrates its 130th birthday this year, we’re a four-year-old toddler in our work to create equitable cities through inclusive design. 2023 and 2024 saw the continuation of this work through community-led design projects, public art installations, and co-created community-based initiatives aimed at improving the built environment.

Our work elevates community voices and holds space for dialogue among the many stakeholders involved in bringing an environment to life — designer-residents, architects, gardeners, graphic designers, and policy-makers, to name a few. We adhere to the truth that “change moves at the speed of trust,” as author Stephen Covey said, and poet and organizer adrienne maree brown applied to social justice work. Never has that been more true, and Van Alen’s work now centers on cultivating trust in service of the design process.

As we look back at our recent accomplishments, we look forward to imagining how we deepen our impact on design disciplines, bring more communities and designers into our network, and begin making the systemic change we need for a more equitable world.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Relish the role you’ve played in the projects described here.

If you haven’t yet come to co-create with us, imagine the role you might play. Let’s think about our future together — in making our communities more joyful and places one would be proud to call home.

R. May Lee Chair, Van Alen Board VP and Chief Strategy Officer for Institutional Impact, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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In August 2024, I ended my tenure as Van Alen Institute’s Executive Director, which was the most exciting, transformative, meaningful leadership experience of my career. For 130 years, Van Alen supported architects in dreaming big, challenging boundaries, and building a better world. When I joined in 2019, my charge from our board was clear: build on this legacy with self-directed projects that deepen long-term impact.

Because design excellence is inseparable from justice, we evolved Van Alen’s mission in 2020: to create equitable cities through inclusive design. In the eventful years since, Van Alen — with the collaboration of partners across New York City — embraced one of the greatest challenges of our time: bridging the gap between those who benefit from the support of our culture, city and nation, and those communities burdened by exclusion and disinvestment. Van Alen alone can’t change embedded patterns of injustice, but we are sincerely, humbly, and wholeheartedly working to shift the balance towards justice in citymaking.

As of 2024, Van Alen has established programs that operate on a TIMELINE OF TRUST: short-term projects Design Sprints and Common Build; multiyear programs like Albany Hive; and the ongoing Urban Room, all of which you’ll learn about in this report.

These projects proceed from the conviction that communities should lead with their own expertise, and evidence of the success of this approach mounts daily. New partners — community leaders, designers and other professionals, and supporters — join these efforts at an accelerating pace, and I’m confident that Van Alen’s best days are yet to come. While its board searches for a new leader, senior staff members Andrew Brown and Kate Overbeck are stepping up as Interim Co-Executive Directors.

I invite you to join me in supporting their able leadership through this transition.

Deborah Marton Executive Director, Van Alen Institute (2019–24)

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8 WEEKS

3–12 MONTHS

12+ MONTHS

ONGOING

DESIGN SPRINTS

COMMON BUILD

MULTIYEAR

URBAN ROOM

Fast-paced co-design projects that build trust between community leaders and designers

Public space activations that engage residents and lead to neighborhood investment

Multiyear projects like Albany Hive result in transformative, neighborhood-scale change

Dignified community meeting space to support civic participation and our partners’ work

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DESIGN SPRINTS Fast-paced co-design projects that build trust between community leaders and designers 8 WEEKS

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Van Alen Institute’s newest community-led design program, Design Sprints follows the lead of people working towards justice in their neighborhoods. Community partners identify a pressing challenge facing their area, and Van Alen shapes multidisciplinary design teams uniquely suited to those challenges.

Over eight weeks, we facilitate these collaborations and provide each team with $5000 in seed funding.

“DESIGN IS POWERFUL. LET’S USE IT FOR GOOD. LET’S USE IT TO BE INCLUSIVE. LET’S USE IT TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OUR OWN BUILT ENVIRONMENT.” Yin Kong, Executive Director, Think!Chinatown

DESIGN SPRINTS Fast-paced co-design projects that build trust between community leaders and designers 8 WEEKS

OUTCOMES

Van Alen moved to Gowanus in early 2020, we joined many WhenWhen Van Alen moved to Gowanus in community-based organizations already working to create a stronger, connected neighborhood amid a major rezoning. So we opened earlymore 2020, we joined many communityour doors tobuilt our neighbors and listened.

We learned that some lacked Trust between community dignified, functional, inexpensive gathering space, and we made our based organizations already working leaders, designers, and other flexible office and tech available at no cost. professionals to to create a stronger,committed more connected Now — as NYC’smore first Urban Room — Van Alen hosts regular meetings of creating equitable cities Brooklyn Community Boarda 6, major Gowanus Houses Tenants Association, neighborhood amid rezoning.

So the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, and Gowanus Mutual Aid, among others.

Public realm advocacy tools, like we opened our doors to our neighbors The of our spacemap also allows us todemystifies respond to urgent community anflexibility interactive that needs – recently, as an emergency clothing donation site for incoming NYC’s redevelopment ofthat a Lower and listened.

We learned someEast migrants housed at Floyd Bennett Field.

Side park or graphics and fundraising lacked dignified, functional, inexpensive By being present in for our own community, we’re learning collateral the renovation ofhow a to best support community partners, ensuring their visions and self-identified community space in Heights gathering and weJackson made ourhow these grassroots needs arespace, at the core of our work.

We’ve witnessed gatherings underpin our democracy, by building trust through discussion flexible officespace and campaigns, tech available Public likeat a no poster and collaboration across social and economic boundaries. Hosting series meetings for a isn’t citizenalternative to — it’s a just aboutled showing up for our neighbors cost.community policing in Flatbush

We also found inspiration in the UKCommunity engagement strategies, a placemaking/placekeeping basedlike Urban Room movement, which exhibition in Chinatown aims to create a network of spaces where

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Yin Kong, Executive Director, Think!Chinatown at Design Sprints summit.

Photo: Cameron Blaylock

Branding for Loisaida Center’s environmental justice project Ecolibrium, designed with Pentagram

Interactive map of Sara D. Roosevelt Park for FABnyc, designed with Marvel Photos: Scott Kelly

BUILDING HEATING & HOT WATER SURVEY

RESIDENCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY SURVEY

Does your building use oil or gas boilers for heat and hot water? Let us aknow, so we can work to replace these harmful fossil fuel-burning systems with more environmentally friendly options.

Help the entire Loisaida community reduce energy waste and environmental pollution–and lower your monthly electric bills–by identifying older appliances in your home that could be replaced with newer, energy-efficient models.

Scan the QR Code to have the survey

The Loisaida Inc. Center 710 E 9st th, New York, NY 10009

Scan the QR Code to have the survey

The Loisaida Inc. Center 710 E 9st th, New York, NY 10009

Paper versions of the survey are available at the Loisaida Center

www.ecolibrium.nyc info@loisaida.org @ecolibrium.nyc

Paper versions of the survey are available at the Loisaida Center

www.ecolibrium.nyc info@loisaida.org @ecolibrium.nyc

Think!Chinatown’s placemaking exhibition, designed with Farzana Gandhi Design Studio, fwd|A+U, and Pentagram Photos: Alisha Kim Levin

BUILDING HEATING & HOT WATER SURVEY

RESIDENCIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY SURVEY

Does your building use oil or gas boilers for heat and hot water? Let us aknow, so we can work to replace these harmful fossil fuel-burning systems with more environmentally friendly options.

Help the entire Loisaida community reduce energy waste and environmental pollution–and lower your monthly electric bills–by identifying older appliances in your home that could be replaced with newer, energy-efficient models.

Scan the QR Code to have the survey

The Loisaida Inc. Center 710 E 9st th, New York, NY 10009

Scan the QR Code to have the survey

The Loisaida Inc. Center 710 E 9st th, New York, NY 10009

Paper versions of the survey are available at the Loisaida Center

www.ecolibrium.nyc info@loisaida.org @ecolibrium.nyc

Paper versions of the survey are available at the Loisaida Center

www.ecolibrium.nyc info@loisaida.org @ecolibrium.nyc

(Far left) Poster campaign for Equality for Flatbush’s Black Rapid Responders initiative, designed with BD Feliz and Youth Design Center

Branding for Spanish-language bookstore Librería Barco de Papel, designed with N H D M and Pentagram

COMMON BUILD Public space activations that engage residents and lead to neighborhood investment 3–12 MONTHS

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Since 2014, Van Alen has brought together long-standing local organizations with emerging and BIPOC designers to create community-led space activations.

These pop-up projects — which include public art, advocacy actions, and small business markets — address neighborhood priorities and inspire a shared sense of civic purpose.

“I SEE THIS PROJECT AS BOTH A REMINDER OF WHAT BROOKLYN’S LANDSCAPES CAN OFFER US, AND A CHARGE FOR US TO DREAM WILDLY OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE.” Curry J. Hackett, artist, educator, and designer of Ugly Beauties

COMMON BUILD Public space activations that engage residents and lead to neighborhood investment 3–12 MONTHS

Since 2014, Van Alen has brought OUTCOMES together long-standing local Public realm activations that inform and engage residents, organizations with emerging and lead to larger-scale and BIPOC designers to create investments for the neighborhood community-led activations.

15 public art space installations in 3 NYC neighborhoods serving These pop-up projects — which 600,000+ visitors include public art, and advocacy Seasonal markets public space plans that celebrate local actions, and culture andsmall boost business local economies markets — address Catalytic support andneighborhood visibility for 24 emerging artists and designers priorities and inspire a shared 22 live performances that sense of civic purpose.and activate installations foster community engagement

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Curry J. Hackett in front of Ugly Beauties Photo: Argenis Taveras for Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Residents and community organizers have been working to ensure current Gowanus residents benefit from the neighborhood’s recent rezoning.

Their advocacy resulted in the 56 Points of Agreement (POAs) — commitments made by New York City to support housing, infrastructure, public space, community amenities, and business programs.

Created by Juanli Carrión and Rodolfo Kusulas, With Your Voice envisions change resulting from the 56 Points of Agreement. Megaphoned-shaped sculptures called “Voicers” are installed across Gowanus, each showing images of how that location will be impacted by the POAs. Photo: Cameron Blaylock

Made of construction netting and steel scaffolding, Curry J. Hackett’s Ugly Beauties features images of Black people juxtaposed with native and invasive plant species — so-called “weeds” — that flourish in New York City, prompting viewers to consider society’s perception of beauty and belonging.

Photo: Cameron Blaylock

ALBANY HIVE Multiyear projects like Albany Hive result in transformative, neighborhood-scale change 12+ MONTHS

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Partnerships forged through Design Sprints and Common Build can expand to multiyear collaborations seeking transformative, neighborhood-scale change.

In Albany’s West Hill neighborhood, a coalition of 10+ community organizations and city agencies transformed a neglected public alleyway into a safe space for gathering and remembrance. Together we’ve engaged 400+ residents in an inclusive design process resulting in Albany Hive, a new public green space which debuted in 2024.

“​​UNITY AND COLLABORATION CREATES POSITIVE CHANGE, AND THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THAT.” Eva Bass, Chief Executive Officer, Bridge Tha Gap Community Resources & Outreach

ALBANY HIVE Multiyear projects like Albany Hive result in transformative, neighborhood-scale change 12+ MONTHS

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OUTCOMES

Partnerships forged through Design Sprints and Common Build can expand Transformational change in the to multiyear seeking way thatcollaborations communities, designers, and city leaders come together transformative, neighborhood-scale to co-create shared spaces change.

Stewardship plan for ongoing maintenance In Albany’s West and Hill programming neighborhood, a

coalition of 10+community community organizations Increased health, wellbeing, andare safety and city agencies transforming a Decreased local gun violence neglected public alleyway into a safe since project’s inception space for gathering and remembrance.

150 artworks created by Together we’ve engaged 200+ residents residents for public display in an inclusive design process resulting in a new public park set to debut in 2024.

Albany Hive Photo: Mars and Moon Films

Albany Hive Photo: Mars and Moon Films

Albany Hive Photo: Mars and Moon Films

URBAN ROOM Dignified community meeting space to support civic participation and our partners’ work ONGOING

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When Van Alen moved to Gowanus in 2020, we opened our doors to neighbors and learned many lacked a dignified, inexpensive, and accessible gathering space. Now — as home to NYC’s first Urban Room — Van Alen makes our office and tech available to partners at no cost, and hosts meetings for Brooklyn Community Board 6, NYCHA Gowanus Houses, and the Gowanus Oversight Task Force, among others. It’s also a flexible space for our partners’ co-design sessions, exhibitions, and celebrations, making it a true hub of our inclusive design network.

“VAN ALEN HAS SERVED AS AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER THAT HAS GRACIOUSLY OPENED ITS DOORS AND ALLOWED US TO HOST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETINGS AND D39’S PARTICIPATORY BUDGET MEETINGS. WE’RE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY.” 63 Tiffany Tenants Association

URBAN ROOM Dignified community meeting space to support civic participation and our partners’ work ONGOING

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OUTCOMES

Partnerships forged through Design Sprints and Common Build can expand Dignified public space that to multiyear supportscollaborations resident civicseeking participation in the co-creation of a more transformative, neighborhood-scale equitable neighborhood change.

30+ free community meetings and 1700+ attendees hosted In Albany’s West Hill neighborhood, a

coalition of 10+fridge community organizations Community available 24/7 and city agencies are transforming a Donation site for local mutual neglected public alleyway into a safe aid organizations space for gathering and remembrance.

Info hub for resident self-advocacy Together engaged residents toolswe’ve on the Gowanus 200+ rezoning, Gowanus Canal water quality, and in an inclusive design process resulting in other neighborhood planning issues a new public park set to debut in 2024.

Community Board 6 meeting Photo: Shiloah Coley

Info hub about Gowanus Canal water quality.

Photo: Evan McKnight

One Love Community Fridge dinner.

Photo: Troi Williams

COLLABORATORS 82nd Street Partnership

Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong

NHDM

Albany 518 SNUG

Curry J. Hackett

One Love Community Fridge

Albany and Troy Lions Club

Equality for Flatbush

Pentagram

Albany Victory Gardens

FABnyc

Rodolfo Kusulas

Asian Americans for Equality

Farzana Gandhi Design Studio

Barco de Papel

Fu Wilmers Design | Architecture + Urbanism

School of Architecture at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

BD Feliz Bed-Stuy Gateway BID Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation Bednark Bridge Tha Gap Community Resource & Outreach Brooklyn Community Board 6 Buro Happold Community League of the Heights

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Gowanus Houses Tenant Association Gowanus Oversight Task Force Grateful Villages Growhouse International Juanli Carrión Lewis Latimer House Museum Loisaida Inc. Marvel

SFDS Fabrication & Design Shop Silman Stantec Stuart Lynn The Urban Conga Think!Chinatown United Palace Youth Ministries

SUPPORTERS Alloy

Ennead

Architecture Research Office (ARO)

Fried Frank

Ares

General Innovation Capital Partners

Arup

Han Chang

Atelier Office

Holland & Knight LLP

Bednark Studio

Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects

Buro Happold

KPF

Carol E. Rosenthal

Loci Architecture

Civitas

MASS Design Group

Denzil Gallagher

MBB Architecture

Determined by Design

MIKYOUNG KIM DESIGN

Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting

M2G Ventures

DPR Construction Effectus Group

National Endowment for the Arts New York State Council on the Arts

NYC Department of Cultural Affairs NYC Department of Small Business Services Olson Kundig On Time Supply Perkins&Will Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Round Peg Seam Social Lab Sharon Davis Foundation Studio Libeskind Thinc Design UAG WRNS Studio Xylem Projects

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VAN ALEN BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BOARD MEMBERS

Chair R. May Lee, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Robert Bernstein, Holland & Knight

Diana Reyna, Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting

Allison Freedman Weisberg, Round Peg

Carol Rosenthal, Fried Frank

Vice Chair Carla Swickerath, Studio Libeskind Treasurer Jenn Gustetic, Innovation and Technology Executive Secretary Kia Weatherspoon, Determined by Design Jared Della Valle*, Alloy Mark Johnson, Civitas Hana Kassem, KPF Raymond Quinn*, Arup *Board term ended in 2023–24

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Mark Gardner, Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects Casey Jones*, Perkins&Will Latoya Kamdang, Ennead Architecture Nnenna Lynch, Xylem Projects Daniel Maldonado, Unispace Life Sciences Carlos Menchaca, Open Society Foundations V. Mitch McEwen*, Atelier Office

Katie Swenson, MASS Design Group Claire Weisz, WXY Thomas Yu, Asian Americans for Equality Byron Bell, Byron Bell Architects & Planners (Emeritus)

VAN ALEN STAFF

Andrew Brown, Interim Co-Executive Director

Anthony Gomez, Operations Manager

Joseph Messana-Croly, Project Manager, Programs

Shiloah Coley, Project Manager, Programs

Sabria Islam, Intern

Kate Overbeck, Interim Co-Executive Director

Pratik Dubey, Strategic Partnerships Associate

Scott Kelly, Communications and Graphic Design Associate

Annie Ferreira, Strategic Partnerships Manager

Alisha Kim Levin, Director of Communications

Ren Reese, Chief Financial Officer Kelvin Thomas Cruz, Intern

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FINANCES REVENUE Restricted Funding

384,905

19%

Unrestricted Funding

280,168

14%

Van Alen Investment Total

1,376,828

67%

2,041,901

EXPENSE Operations/Communications

214,495

10%

Fundraising

420,809

20%

Programs

1,464,209

70%

Total

2,099,513

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