Shifting Hybrids: Multidimensional Commons

Daily life is the convergence of all activities, the bond, and the common foundation. The Sunshine Theater stood at an important place of daily life for generations of Lower East Side residents before it was abandoned. The new residential building preserves the “collective” aura of the theater, introduce typical New York space type, flea market, as a platform for dialogue between community members. It is not only a market, but also a cultural event where people gather, share their daily lives and opinions, explore a new model of community co-governance. At the same time, it also provides employment opportunities for low-income groups.



The facade of the theater is now a graphic symbol. I hope to keep the vaulted façade, the collective memory. Through a series of transformations, the new facade is gradually transformed from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional volume. The units twisted and turned to ensure maximum views of the surrounding landscapes and urbans. Not only capture more daylight but also self-shade when necessary. Meanwhile, subdivide into different type of units, and the public and private space in unit. Public common space run through the whole building. These informal spaces are interlocked with each other, encouraging different groups to connect here and creating a sense of belonging of community.