INFO SESSION
Common Build: Broadway Mall Association Design Installation
out Van Alen
Van Alen Institute is a driving force behind community-led urban design, which believes that local knowledge and care enrich the design process.
Since 1894, Van Alen has invested in people with a passion for improving cities through the power of architecture and design.
Image: Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong, COMMON GROUND (2023)
About BMA
The Broadway Mall Association engages and con the diverse communities along the five-mile stretc landscaped malls from Washington Heights to Manhattan’s Upper West Side to create visually beautiful and culturally vibrant public spaces ope accessible for all to enjoy.
For more than 30 years, the Broadway Mall Assoc (BMA) has cared for the five miles of green space middle of Broadway — planting, restoring, and stewarding the 10.6 acres of parkland for the neighborhoods it connects.
mon Build
Since 2014, Van Alen’s public space activations have engaged local residents and provided catalytic exposure for emerging designers and artists.
We collaborate with community-based organizations and designers to create space activations that respond to local issues, encourage discovery, and create connections.
Image: Friends from the Canal, Mookntaka (2026)
ject Overview & Goals
way Mall Association and Van Alen Institute seek lic design installation addressing the theme of utualism” — a term deeply rooted in biological
ative processes, but one open to broader etations around sustainability of our natural, l, and community resources.
uchstone for this project, Eco-Mutualism may be d as an ecological interaction between two or ifferent species where every participating m experiences a net benefit.
Image: Sean Scully (2024-2025)
Project Overview & Goals
•
• The proposed project should fit within the framework of protecting and sustaining the natural resources within our urban environment, and consider the ecological, cultural, and historical context of the Washington Heights neighborhood. Projects might consider the following:
Climate change: The challenges of trying to live in greater harmony with our natural and urban environments in the era of climate change
Health & wellbeing: The importance of fostering symbiotic relationships in nature, at the more micro-level, and how that can impact the health and well-being of our communities on the more macro level
Greater equity: The significance of protecting and sustaining our natural resources as a means of creating greater equity in the quality of life across under-served neighborhoods
Design Criteria
The following guidelines are parameters for the proposal of the design installation:
Create a site-specific, highly visible, temporary installation with a strong visual presence
Be structurally sound, safe, durable, and constructed of sustainable materials
Must be suitable for outdoor display within an urban context, in terms of scale (under 10ft), materiality, durability, and safety
Installation and base materials must be sufficiently durable to withstand seasonal weather and the urban environment, including being resilient to the potential of climbing and skateboarding activities
Installation must not impede universally accessible pathways or required pedestrian site circulation
Use the available funds resourcefully and be completed within the allotted time frame
Take into consideration the afterlife of the installation
he Site: Mitchel Square
e selected project will be on view rch 2027–January 2028 at Mitchel uare in Washington Heights between 6th St, 167th St, and Broadway.
Open Call
Deadline: July 19
Applying designers/artists shou
At least 2 yrs of professiona
designer/artist
Completed at least one pub
community-engaged projec
Practice based in NYC area
connection to Northern Man
Washington Heights, Inwood
Harlem are especially enco
Project Award
Three shortlisted applicants invited to submit a proposal:
Receive $1,000 upon submission of their design proposals
Winning designer/artist:
Receives $8,000 fee for development and delivery of the project, and $25,000 for direct expenses for the production, fabrication, installation, and deinstallation of the project
Support
Throughout the duration of the project, the sel designer/artist will receive the following to help successfully launch and program their installa
Staff support with navigating the permittin and building relationships with city agencie
Relationships with design professionals in
Alen’s robust network
Connections with local stakeholders in No
Manhattan (Washington Heights, Inwood, H Heights, and Harlem)
Timeline
Late July: Invitation sent to three designers/artists
Late August: Proposals due
Mid- September: Final artist/designer/team selected, partnership agreement executed + Kick-off Meeting
October 2026–February 2027: Fabrication & Material procurement
November 2026: Engineering review (if needed)
Late February 2027: Installation on-site
Early March 2027: Launch Event
March 2027–January 2028: Display period
January 2028: De-installation (one day)
For additional inquiries, drop by office hours on Wednesday, July 8, 3–5pm at Van Alen Institute (303 Bond Street, Brooklyn, NY).
If you can’t make the office hours, email Shiloah Coley, Program Manager at scoley@vanalen.org to schedule a virtual meeting.
THANK YOU! + Q&A