The New Tenement is a reconsideration of this traditional building type in Manhattan’s most dynamic, diverse and historic residential neighborhood. As in 19th Century tenement buildings, we paired economic and spatial efficiency with material playfulness. 

The project is a 20 unit residential rental building with gallery space located on the ground floor and cellar. The decorative and material qualities of the traditional tenement were a point of departure for our design both inside and out. 

The base building will be of the most straightforward construction, veiled behind a perforated aluminum rain-screen system that both echoes traditional fire escapes and performs environmentally, acting as a sun shading device and louvered panel for air exchange.