ABOUT OUR CAPSTONE

This project aims to take unused office space and convert it to a mixed-use space serving several functions: a grocery store to address the issue of food deserts as well as job creation for residents of the space; an office floor for working professionals who are working from home but don’t want to be in their apartment all day; residential apartments with a specific focus on low-income and those in need of affordable housing. We intend to implement a mix of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units and condominiums to address the already existing housing crisis in New York City, which has been worsened by COVID-19. Because many offices in New York City and beyond are still vacant, and as people continue to work from home during the pandemic, we are creating this project to be used as a case study for a sustainable conversion of unused office space to residential space and affordable housing. Additionally, we plan to implement many high-performance architectural measures such as improved ventilation, airtightness, and insulation, adhering closely to the EnerPHit retrofit standard. By analyzing policy, zoning, and financing options, we aim to create a final proposal consisting of policy recommendations, design renderings and floor plans that illustrate the needs listed above.