FEC Houses were built to provide stable housing options for low-income families in NYC. In recent years, with the rapid gentrification of the Chelsea community, FEC Houses have faced many challenges. After research, site tours and communication with residents, we categorized the issues within the site and the residents' needs into internal and external demands, and found that one of the most important is belonging. We take trees as the concept, since trees are one of greatest treasure in the campus and have both physical and social benefits to the community’s belonging. Sustainability and light design are also key considerations in the design process.
Fulton House was established in 1960 to provide affordable housing for low-income people in Manhattan. In 2019, the NYCHA working group was formed to transform the Fulton. The report released in 2021 stated that the biggest goal of residents is long-term affordability, safety and security, and no demolition. The developer was selected in the same year. In 2023, they formulated a transformation plan through a vote of 900 residents to rebuild the community. But in September, residents protested that this was not their real idea. So after 15 months of communication, the working group made it clear that the residents did not want to rebuild, and they hoped to have a better life based on their original housing.
During the site survey, we found some problems. The facilities were old and simple, and it was difficult for people to communicate in the public space. It was also difficult for people to walk along the grass, and the space for communication with the outside world was blocked by high fences. In summary, We can divide all these problems into two parts: internal and external. They are lack of belonging and inclusion respectively.
There are many tall trees in the community, specifically there are as many as 200 trees in Fulton. Trees themselves have many functions. First, they witness the development of the campus and have a lot of emotional significance for residents. Secondly, the space of trees can provide space for activities. At the same time, trees are also social members. Research shows they have emotional memories and souls.
The connection between trees is very close. Their roots transmit nutrients, information and dangers to each other, and they continue to take root together, becoming more and more deeply bound to the land. The branches of trees are like their way of communicating and showing to the outside world. The size of the branch and the density of the leaves indicate the degree and density of their communication.
This is an overview of our site. These open spaces connect the entire space, not only improving the quality of life and belonging of residents, but also promoting communication with the outside world.
