Project Description:

Inspired by a European trend of community focused housing, the Variable Commitment Housing project in downtown Troy, NY brings 10 diverse individuals together into a community where traditional notions of public and private space are constantly challenged.

This challenge was met in two ways: through a courtyard and a flexible performance space. The courtyard was initially intended as a private space for the residents of the Variable Commitment Housing, but while inspecting the site, a hidden community was discovered at the rear, in the neighboring residential lofts. The design evolved to embrace this hidden community.

Resident musicians inspired the addition of a flexible performance space at the street level. It can either be a private venue, opened to the inner courtyard, or opened further to spill out to the street. The performance space therefore forms the epicenter of activity.