NEW YORK—Architects Anne Frederick, Marc Turkel, and Morgan Hare founded Hester Street Collaborative (HSC) based on the Lower East Side “out of a desire to apply architecture and design to underserved communities.”
“We saw the potential for a design process being able to not only transform public spaces and to better amenities for neighborhoods, but to have a meaningful participation around that as well,” explained Frederick.
The organization educates residents, especially children, in underserved communities about the principles of design so they can be more involved in shaping their neighborhood. HSC advocates for a public voice in development, so the changes made to the cityscape reflect the wishes of its residents. Frederick shared her experiences with The Epoch Times and reflected on development, gentrification, and education.
The Epoch Times: How has a stronger positive ownership of community land facilitated the gentrification or revitalization of underdeveloped areas?
Anne Frederick: A lot of the organizations that we work with are really concerned about gentrification because they see the residents of the community being pushed out and not being able to afford to stay there anymore. So that becomes a big question for us in our work, ‘How do we make spaces that better serve the community, especially in a neighborhood where there’s so much demand on public space?’ Everyone lives in tight quarters—the parks are like our living rooms here.
On the one hand, you want those spaces to be nice; you want people to be invested in how they are created. On the other hand, the moment you improve public space it becomes more desirable and real estate appreciates. How do you walk between those two lines, and how do you ensure community has really driven the process and the spaces to really reflect their needs? These are questions we are still trying to answer for ourselves.
The Epoch Times: What project has been the most rewarding and brings the largest sense of personal achievement?
Anne Frederick: One project I have been really proud of is the work around the East River waterfront, partnering with organizations to facilitate real community input and what happens there. I think the $14 million that was recently allocated by Sens. Squadron and Schumer for the redevelopment of Pier 42 into a public park will be a huge asset for the community.
Also, we have been building a classroom with an elementary school, PS134, since 2004. Just seeing kids come out and get their hands dirty, dig in the dirt, and connect with nature in a way that they aren’t able to otherwise, to build these different projects like stools, stepping stones, [and] trellises for the garden ... seeing the impact on them and how it has shaped them is really inspiring.
The Epoch Times: What makes design a poignant tool for education and change in communities?
Anne Frederick: There can be this hands-on aspect of making things. ... It can be a very direct way to see one’s efforts result in some kind of community change. ... [It is] more fun than a dry community meeting.
