For your final project, you will research a building that typifies a significant alteration, adaptive reuse, or intervention in the historic fabric of a New York City block (a list of appropriate buildings and sites will be provided by the professor.) You will then analyze the building using the theoretical framework established in class readings, lectures and discussions to determine whether it is a good example of preservation. There is no right answer – your conclusion is subjective. However, your evaluation should be based on principles of historic preservation theory and practice.
The final project represents a culmination of the written assignments and presentations you submitted as part of the course. These should serve as an aid in your research, analysis, and final product. Your deliverables for the final project will comprise a 5-6 page paper about your chosen site, and a 20-minute in-class presentation (group or individual, depending on the site).
In examining your chosen site, you will attempt to answer the following questions in both your paper and your presentation.
1) What problem does this alteration/reuse/intervention seek to address?
2) How does this alteration/reuse/intervention respond to the pre-existing context of the building and/or site?
3) Does the alteration/reuse/intervention demonstrate evidence of a thought process about existing fabric, historic context, and design guidelines?
4) How would you define a successful modification to a historic building or site? Does the selected alteration/reuse/intervention live up to these standards?
5) What are impacts (positive or negative) of this alteration/reuse/intervention on its immediate and wider surroundings?
Presentations will take place 12/9 and 12/16 (the last two weeks of class). All papers will be due in class on 12/16.
Final Project Sites
| Building/Site | Neighborhood | Student(s) |
| Hearst Tower (Norman Foster, 2006; Joseph Urban, 1928) | Midtown West | Kenny Alvear |
| Morgan Library & Museum (Renzo Piano, 2006; Charles McKim, 1906) | Murray Hill | Jean-Reginald Saintange |
| Tobacco Warehouse & Empire Stores (alteration 1990s and ongoing; 1860-80) | DUMBO | Joan Cantwell |
| Seamen’s Church Institute/Blue School (James Polshek & Richard Olcott, 1991) | South Street Seaport | Edgar Guaman |
| 2 Columbus Circle (Brad Cloepfil, 2008; Edward Durell Stone, 1964) | Columbus Circle | Christopher Poujol; Ye Hwee |
| Scholastic Building (Aldo Rossi, 2001) | SoHo | Redon Rexha |
| Harvard Club (multiple additions; McKim, Mead, and White, 1894) | Midtown East | Mehran Sadiq |
| Chelsea Market (rezoning, 2012) & the High Line (2009) | Meatpacking District | Bassem Elashrafi; Oluremi Jones |
| Jefferson Market Courthouse Library (Giorgio Cavaglieri,1967; Vaux & Withers, 1877) | Greenwich Village | Youssef Hassan |
| Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Rafael Vinoly, 2008) | Park Slope | Ousmane Sene |
Name : Alijan Sethy
Class: Arch 3640
Professor: Guzman
Final Project Draft Overview
Tenement Museum
Introduction & Historical Context: the Tenement Museum on 97 Orchard Street in the lower side Manhattan was built in the year 1863. It was home to nearly 7000 immigrants and signifies their stories of struggle and survival in the new hometown of New York. It is situated in the America’s iconic immigrant neighborhood.
• The alteration Style reflects
• How the Current alteration Style seems to address or reflect the social image of the building in accordance with its historical context.
• Does the new alteration signifies any signs or trace to the historical outlook and symbolic appeal of the structure
• In our opinion does this building have maintained its historical and symbolic reference in terms of design, alteration and reuse?
• How does this alteration have an effect o the present surrounding neighborhood or vicinity it is in