In Melrose, Bronx, the majority of the population is taken by immigrants from the Caribbean region, while it has always been an issue of missing public space and community events. This project seeks to better influence the selecting window and activate resident’s lives through daily events.

To create more opportunities for immigrants to meet people and integrate into the neighborhood, this project works from two aspects: adjacency, and hybrid space. There is a theory that if two people are close enough, it would for sure increase the chances of them seeing each other. The more frequently they meet, the more likely they would form a stronger connection. We started from this theory and redesigned the corridor and entrance. 

The entrance between two units are carved out and form one shared foyer. The foyer can be considered as an extension of their living room or dining. Residents are welcomed to use the foyer whatever they want, but with respect to their neighbors. 

We try to blur the interior exterior boundary. Added to this, we apply different operations onto the wall. One is flip, one is rotate. Furniture can be flipped from the wall, such as tables, bar counters, and seats. When it gets flipped, it would leave a blank on the wall. Some walls can be rotated. For example, when someone hosts a party with their neighbors, they can rotate the wall and “combine” their room.

The other aspect we are working on is the hybrid space. Hybrid space is the mixture of multiple public programs, such as the laundry room, package delivery room, trash bin… The significance of these programs are often underestimated. We think combining these programs is the new way to activate them. 

We have three kinds of hybrid space. Laundry and gym, kitchen, and recycling, package delivery room and cafeteria. They are located at the corner of each corridor and become the nodes that connect each bar.