KINGS

Multi-Unit Housing for the Elderly 

Designed with Modellus Novus

The pandemic allowed us to have this time to develop this long term desire to give back to society . One of the values of MN is “take care, give care”. The main goal was to provide solutions to many problems elderly face, one of the main problems being loneliness: This feeling of separation and disconnection from others may predict serious health problems and even death. 

The designated lot is a part of Kingsborough Housing that is ow ned by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in Crown Heights Brooklyn. Independent Senior Living Residences consist of 180 units: 144 Studio units and 36 Studio Plus units. Community facilities act as touch points for individuals to gather, easing a sense of loneliness that can emerge when social spaces are not prioritized. These social touch points are of different scales and are distributed throughout the building to maximize their effect. The Plaza is a covered outdoor space for building residents, neighbors, and visitors. It hosts the NYC Greenmarket, acts as a generous gathering place for the neighborhood, and connects to the Canteen. ’Inefficient’ Corridors provide enlarged circulation space on each residential floor . These spaces are naturally lit and cozy , creating a shared “living room” for residents.The social spaces of apartments mix with the social space of the Inefficient Corridor.