'SoHo rezoning' Program
[Envision how SoHo evolves, what building and urban typologies emerge -SoHo/NoHo, Manhattan, NYC, USA]
CAMPUS_Asia::SUAE_Asia 2022 Winter School Workshop
COURSE : Field Research and Documentation_Cultural Resources of Urban Environment(II) / PNU
CAMPUS_Asia::SUAE_Asia Program is intensive international academic exchange program between universities in Asia as the platform for dual degree between Architecture Department of Kyushu University, Tongji University and Pusan National University, aimed at enhancing the education of urban and architectural environment by developing knowledge and skill to achieve sustainable cities and buildings in Asia. Program, as a Korea UNESCO ESD(Education for Sustainable Development) Official Project assigned by Korean National Commission of UNESCO, currently extend the platform covering Asian countries and focusing on present urban and architectural problems and enlarging education opportunity to promote the practice of resilient design, accessibility and inclusive urban design and development which are adequately addressed in the UNESCO events, outcomes and publications. The world demanding greater cooperation rather than protectionism, acknowledgement of heterogeneity rather than homogeneity and the balance between society, urban and people need to adequately responsive to the direction of how the world is moving. Summer and winter school design workshop as one of CAMPUS_Asia::SUAE_Asia Program claim to promote opportunities for exploring adequately responsive alternatives from exiting urban and architectural environment by the cooperative process between students from various countries.
On behalf of CAMPUS_Asia::SUAE_Asia, 2022 Winter School workshop pleasantly invited School of Architecture of Syracuse University as co-director of 2022 winter program and potential professors from Syracuse University will support the information and knowledges about site at SoHo/NoHo area in Manhattan in New York and the emphasis for assignment and evaluation of design proposals. The students from partner universities, Vienna University of Technology from Austria, University of Palermo from Italy, Tongji University from China, Kyushu University from Japan, and Pusan National University from Korea will find the most effective way to vitalize sustainable neighborhood in SoHo/NoHo with rezoning plan approved by New York City Planning Commission by adding affordable housing with potential live-work typology. Every proposals will be included in publication that will be publishing at 2022 and your contribution will be acknowledged too.
Committee Organization
Scientific Committee
Prof. Michael Speaks, Dean, SOA, Syracuse University, USA
Prof. Angie Co. Syracuse University, USA
Prof. Daekwon Park, Chair, Undergraduate Program, Syracuse University, USA
Prof. Mladen Jadric, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Prof. Renzo LECARDANE, University of Palermo, Italy
Prof. Zeila TESORIERE, University of Palermo, Italy
Prof. ZHANG Li, Tongji University, China
Prof. DIVIGALPITIYA Prasana, Kyushu University, Japan
Prof. WOO Shinkoo, Pusan National University, Korea
Prof. PARK Changbae, Pusan National University, Korea
Prof. YOO Jaewoo, Pusan National University, Korea
Prof. CHUNG Jaehoon, Pusan National University, Korea
Coordinator & Tutor
Paola LA SCALA(PhD), University of Palermo, Italy
Federica Rizzo, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Prof. Li Qing, Tongji University, China
Prof. JIN Keojin, Pusan National University, Korea
Program Director
Director : Prof. LEE Inhee, Pusan National University, Korea
Co-director : Prof. Angie Co. Syracuse University, USA
SOHO/NOHO REZONING: How does a neighborhood evolve?
SoHo, one of Manhattan’s historic districts, is well-known as a crucible for adaptive-reuse and zoning innovation. Once a manufacturing district, the area was transformed in the 1960s-80s by a group of artists who converted lofts to live/work spaces, recasting SoHo as an artist district, pioneering the lifestyle concept of loft living, and ushering in the birth of the commercial art market. Since then, commercial forces in the form of luxury retail, high-end dining, and big-box chains have moved into the neighborhood, cashing in on the area’s cultural cachet. Now, the city is proposing to rezone SoHo. Starting with the rezoning proposal, this workshop focuses on the question: how does a neighborhood evolve?
CONTEXT AND REZONING
• Much of SoHo has historic designation, protecting the iconic cast-iron loft buildings that were originally built for manufacturing. How do we participate in the evolution of a historic area, while honoring its unique culture, context and community? What is the right density and mix of uses?
• Currently, the area is still zoned for manufacturing (FAR 5), and does not allow for residential uses, except in the instances where tenants have Artist-in-Residence (AIR), Joint Work-Living Quarters for Artists (JWLQ), or Loft Law status. The new zoning would not only allow residential use but would require new housing developments to make at least 25-30% of the units affordable. The city has an acute affordable housing shortage, and SoHo is a centrally-located and transit-rich area with little housing. It is also predominantly white and wealthy, and most of the city’s other re-zoning initiatives have taken place in communities of color with lower income levels.
• The new zoning proposes three areas, each with different density and use changes.
- Historic Core – areas with historic designation have the lowest density increase (FAR 6 for residential, and retains FAR 5 for commercial/manufacturing)
- Corridor – areas along main transit and commercial corridors have a significant density increase (FAR 9.7 for residential, FAR 6 for commercial/manufacturing)
- Opportunity Zone –areas at the edges of the rezoning boundary, outside of the historic district, which contain several underutilized lots have the highest density increase (FAR 12 for residential, and FAR 8 for commercial/manufacturing)
• Neighborhood recommendations based on community feedback:
- Improve quality of life: alleviate sidewalk congestion and crowded streets. Commercial loading/unloading creates traffic. Create more parks, green/open spaces for recreation and community gathering.
- Create more neighborhood diversity: create more affordable housing, including live-work space
- Promote economic vitality – continue to grow the artist/maker culture, promote small businesses, and allow for lively mixed-use
OUR SITE:
We’ve selected an area of 5 blocks in SoHo East, which includes Opportunity Zone, Corridor and Historic Core designations from the rezoning plan. This site borders Manhattan’s Chinatown to the south and east.
PROJECT BRIEF:
Envision how SoHo evolves, focusing on these 5 blocks as a “microcosm” of the neighborhood and city. What building and urban typologies emerge?
DELIVERABLES:
- Story of neighborhood change, with three images for the years 2030, 2050, 2100 (near, middle, far future). Include a concept for the private realm (ie buildings / private property) as well as the public realm (streets, sidewalks, public space). What mix of uses do you envision, and what forms do they take?
- Format: on-screen presentation document (PDF/PPT/Google Slides, 16:9 ratio, 20–30 pages).
Site
SoHo East - 5 blocks includes Opportunity Zone + Historic Core + Historic Corridor
-> Site Rhino files : SOHO East - site detail.3dm | SOHO Site Context.3dm
REFERENSES:
-> 211020 NYC DCP approved zoning - full presentation | 220109 SoHo rezoning - SITE INTRO
-> Syracuse University - Angie Co's SoHo studio final projects
