InterRow

Tenement Row House Retrofitting

Residential building

New York City

B.Arch Year 5 2024 Fall

Professor: Katharina Kral& Marta H. Wisniewska

Grounded in the principles of Local Law 97, which prioritizes reducing emissions and advancing sustainable housing, this project addresses the urgent housing needs of NYC’s Morning Heights community. The site—a row of six residential buildings near Columbia University—currently serves predominantly student tenants with 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom units but fails to meet local demands for affordable, family-sized housing. Compounded by insufficient daylighting, lack of privacy, and inadequate shared spaces, the buildings exemplify the broader challenges of NYC’s aging residential stock. This proposal reimagines the row houses with a focus on integrating diverse unit types, optimizing access to light and nature, and fostering community interaction while maintaining privacy. Densification through rooftop additions will create affordable units for both students and families, offering a forward-looking model that aligns with the city’s environmental, social, and housing goals.