Van Alen Institute

✨ BOND STREET BASH HONOREE ✨ Join us on Thursday, June 4 to celebrate: 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙖 𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧, 𝙎𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝙇𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙙 It’s an extra special delight to honor Carla Swickerath with the TORCHBEARER AWARD, celebrating collaborative practices rooted in equity and justice. As Partner at @daniellibeskind , Carla has led some of the most complex and consequential architectural projects of our time, while advancing a design approach that emphasizes memory, community, and meaningful urban transformation. As a longtime Board member and champion of Van Alen, she has also brought a strong commitment to equity and community-centered design while challenging us to act with greater intention and boldness. Join us to toast Carla at the Bond Street Bash on Thursday, June 4. Tickets are going fast — grab yours at the link in bio today! Graphics: Scott Kelly

FINAL WEEK! It’s your last chance to see The House Transformed, on view at Van Alen Institute through Friday, May 22. Gallery hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Fri/Sat 12-6 pm. Following its debut at @princetonarchitecture , The House Transformed presents new ideas for domestic architecture. The exhibition rejects conventional notions of nuclear family and a “one-size-fits-all” approach to the house. These models and drawings explore alternative concepts for collective living, multigenerational households, and caregiving. Curated by Mónica Ponce de León (@mpdlstudio ) with Shoshana Torn and Massimo Giannone. 📷: @camerablaylock

For our District Design Fellowship developed with @nycsmallbiz , Becca Bran of @landmarkwest teamed up with @burohappold , graphic designer Brynn Anderson, and @pentagramdesign to celebrate the Upper West Side’s eclectic West 72nd St corridor. Connecting Central Park and Riverside Park, West 72nd St has long been home to a vibrant mix of small businesses. However, today it functions primarily as a vehicular corridor, and traffic congestion and complex intersections can discourage pedestrians from casually strolling and shopping. Much of West 72nd St also lies within a historic district and some storefront designs overlook these striking architectural features. With this in mind, the team created a folding map that showcases elevations of some of the street’s most distinctive architecture, along with a block-by-block list of small businesses. These maps, along with matching stickers and totes, are already being distributed to local shops. Landmark West! is also developing a concept for evening events inspired by night markets. Encouraging after-hours shopping, these events could also tap into the area’s storied network of musicians and performers for a lively after-hours experience. Inspired by the street’s history as a park connector, they also explored long-term ideas to create a more green, pedestrian-centric corridor that extends the natural ecologies found in Central and Riverside Parks. Swipe through for a preview of their work, and visit vanalen.org to see their full report. Congrats team West 72nd! 📷 1, 3: @camerablaylock

✨ BOND STREET BASH HONOREE ✨ Join us on Thursday, June 4 to celebrate: 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧, 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 Van Alen Institute is so thrilled to honor Justin Garrett Moore (@j.g.moore ) with the NEXUS AWARD, honoring dedication to bridging disciplines and advancing collaboration. Justin advances citymaking rooted in justice, inclusion, and shared power. He’s built the @mellonfoundation Humanities in Place program into a national force for equity, following 15 years shaping NYC’s public realm through city government. As he transforms the institutions shaping our cities, he consistently centers the voices, histories, and communities too often excluded from design. Justin’s leadership has redefined who design serves. To toast Justin, be sure to snag your tickets at the link in bio. Each year, the Bond Street Bash brings together our incredible network of architects, activists, artists, community leaders, and policymakers. It’s simply the best party in Brooklyn. Graphics: Scott Kelly

For our District Design Fellowship developed with @nycsmallbiz , Evelin Omana Caballero of @lacolmenanyc teamed up with @thisis_org , @thoughtmatter , and Rosanna Valencia to think about how branding, public space, and economic development can work together to strengthen an entire commercial corridor. With a long history of welcoming different waves of immigrants, today Port Richmond, Staten Island is home to a tight-knit Latin American community. Port Richmond Ave (aka “Port”), the area’s main commercial corridor, is anchored by a lively mix of restaurants and bakeries, financial services, and everyday retail. The team set out to elevate small and immigrant-owned businesses and create culturally resonant branding tools. Inspired by the Mexican folk art technique of papel picado, the team created a neighborhood identity centered around a butterfly — a symbol of migration and resilience. With adaptable templates and low-cost materials, @lacolmenanyc quickly launched this campaign while looking ahead to longer-term enhancements for the public realm. The team identified six key nodes along Port Richmond Ave, and developed a suite of design recommendations for a safer pedestrian environment, increased visibility and foot traffic for small businesses, expanded public gathering spaces, reduced flood vulnerability, strengthened cultural identity, and long-term environmental resilience. Swipe through for a preview of their work, and visit vanalen.org to see their full report. Congrats team Port 🦋🦋 📷 1, 7, 19: @camerablaylock

For our District Design Fellowship developed with @nycsmallbiz , Jamila Diaz of @whedcospeaks teamed up with @bdfeliz , @perkinseastman.newyork and @jillz.zy to develop design concepts to amplify a sense of cohesion and connectivity in the South Bronx neighborhood of Melrose. Melrose is socially strong but spatially fragmented, with an industrial history that still defines its urban landscape. Small businesses have dedicated followings but can feel isolated from each other; and while local institutions like @bxmusic house excellent community facilities, not all residents are aware they can access them. Early on in the fellowship, the team gathered input on community priorities from residents via surveys and events. With this feedback in mind, the team developed a lively graphic identity and Shop Local campaign that incorporates music notes and flowers — a nod to the neighborhood’s love for music and history of nurturing green spaces. They also created a comprehensive (100+ page!) vision plan for public realm improvements. The vision plan includes short-term activations like improved wayfinding and larger community events, and long-term infrastructure enhancements that preserve and celebrate local culture. Going forward, @whedcospeaks will use this document as a foundation to support funding conversations, coordinate with city agencies, and pilot public space projects. Swipe through for a preview of their work, and visit vanalen.org to see their full report. Congrats team Melrose! We can’t wait to see what comes next. 📷 1, 5: @camerablaylock

It’s another busy month here in Gowanus! Be sure to RSVP at the link in bio for our upcoming events, including: 🐀 Thurs 5/7, 7–11 pm NYRA Issue 50 Launch Party @nyreviewofarch takes over @van_alen to toast their 50th issue. As always with NYRA, expect some surprises throughout the night... Open bar generously provided by @kingscountydistillery @taleabeer . 🏢 Thurs 5/14, 6–8 pm We <3 Cookie Cutter Housing @danjoroche & @zarapfeifer lead a conversation in conjunction with @citygroupnyc exhibition ‘JESSOR.’ Learn about the legacy of Herman Jessor, a prolific architect of NYC’s affordable housing, and how we might tackle today’s housing crisis. 🎨 Sat 5/16, 11 am–5 pm Powerhouse Arts Community Day @mookntaka and @van_alen join @powerhouse_arts ’ annual open house! Meet the artists, learn about the making of ‘Friends from the Canal,’ and interact with their playful inflatable sculptures.

✨ At the end of April, we gathered with our incredible District Design Fellowship teams to share and celebrate 8 months of collaboration! Developed with @nycsmallbiz ’s Building Creative Capacity initiative, the District Design Fellowship brought together 3 local leaders representing 3 very distinctive NYC neighborhoods. Together with teams of graphic designers and urban planners, they created neighborhood-specific “Buy Local” campaigns to support small businesses + long-term vision plans to improve their districts’ connectivity, access, and visibility. Stay tuned as we share looks at each team’s work (or pro tip: head to the link in bio for a preview now). TEAMS ⭐️ Melrose, Bronx: Jamila Diaz of @whedcospeaks with @perkinseastman.newyork @bdfeliz @jillz.zy ⭐️ Port Richmond, Staten Island: Evelin Omana Caballero of @lacolmenanyc with @thisis_org @thoughtmatter + Rosanna Valencia ⭐️ Upper West Side, Manhattan: Becca Bran of @landmarkwest with @burohappold @pentagramdesign + Brynn Anderson 📷: @camerablaylock

Last week, we had such a magical evening celebrating @mookntaka and their Friends from the Canal. We visited each Friend to watch them officially emerge into the neighborhood, and toasted this wonderful project back at Van Alen HQ. (Special shout out to the custom colorful monkey bread from @cafemarsbk – so on theme!) Created by @mookntaka , Friends from the Canal responds to Gowanus’ state of flux. As the area transforms, this installation imagines friendly, curious creatures emerging from the Gowanus Canal to investigate the commotion and meet their neighbors. Be sure to visit each Friend the next time you’re nearby: 💜 Loofa: @nychagram Wyckoff Gardens, Nevins St & Warren St 🧡 Pebbles: @gowanuswharf , 3rd Ave & Union St 🩵 Shelby: @cafemarsbk , 3rd Ave & President St Friends from the Canal is produced by @van_alen and made possible by @nycsmallbiz @nyculture @nyscouncilonthearts . Learn more at the link in bio, including how you can engage with the project through a local scavenger hunt. 📷: @argenisphoto

It’s that time again! Join us for the best party in Brooklyn — a celebratory night of drinks and dancing 💃🪩✨ 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟰, 𝟳–𝟭𝟬 𝗽𝗺 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝟯𝟬𝟯 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁, 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗹𝘆𝗻 Our annual party brings together our incredible network of architects, activists, artists, community leaders, and policymakers. Let’s toast the achievements we’ve made together. Get your tickets at the link in bio. Interested in event sponsorship? Shoot us a DM. Big thanks to our Bash committee: Mark Johnson, Civitas (Committee Chair) Deborah Chi, St. Lydia’s Sagi Golan, NYC Planning Molly Heintz, SVA Nicholas Raap, New York Review of Architecture Michelle Roelofs, Arup Charlotte Wessel, Columbia GSAPP Dan Wood, WORKac Animation: Scott Kelly

“Let’s go, diva!” Just reliving the moment when @mookntaka ’s Friends from the Canal woke up to say hello for the first time 👋 — Friends from the Canal is produced by @van_alen and made possible by @nycsmallbiz @nyculture @nyscouncilonthearts . Learn more at the link in bio. 🎥: @stankykubrick 📷: @camerablaylock

While @mookntaka ’s Friends from the Canal are at their full glowing glory after sundown, they’re also a cheerful and colorful addition to Gowanus’ public spaces by day. Be sure to visit each one: ♥️ Pebbles: @gowanuswharf , 3rd Ave & Union St 🧡 Shelby: @cafemarsbk , 3rd Ave & President St 💛 Loofa: @nychagram Wyckoff Gardens, Nevins St & Warren St Learn more at the link in bio, including info about the installation’s accompanying scavenger hunt and some secret surprises from local artist @hibyetiles 👀 Friends from the Canal is produced by @van_alen and made possible by @nycsmallbiz @nyculture @nyscouncilonthearts . 📷: @camerablaylock