Cohousing acts as a solution to climate change, Downtown Brooklyn falls flat, and Zara taps a slew of renowned designers to celebrate its 50th anniversary. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
The latest defense against climate disaster? Cohousing
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
New York may be grateful for its current Indian summer, but 80 degrees in October doesn’t feel as enjoyable when parts of Canada and California remain in perpetual rebuild from apocalyptic wildfires. As we look for ways to soothe unease over climate catastrophe, some are looking to alternative living models for community support. Or, as Dwell puts it, cohousing. Based on Danish concepts, this type of socialized housing, developed from cultural interest in collectivism, comprises self-governing groups invested in cooperative living in private residences that tout plenty of shared space. Architects Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant even introduced similar models in the U.S. during the 1980s. Now, nearly 200 such communities are going strong stateside, with 150 more in the pipeline. Writer Elizabeth Doerr pays a visit to Portland, Oregon to explore some of these hubs where people are empowered to shirk dependency on government and lean on a social resource group for mutual aid, circular economy, and support.
Downtown Brooklyn is a bummer
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It’s been 20 years since Downtown Brooklyn was upzoned by the Bloomberg administration to spur development and attract tenants. Design authority Justin Davidson recently launched an inquiry in Curbed to figure out why exactly the bustling corridor feels so unremarkable. After all, plans in 2003 envisioned a new skyline home to five million square feet of class-A office space, but two decades later, there’s only a small handful of office towers. The 400,000-square-foot commercial tower 141 Willoughby foreclosed this summer and will soon become apartments. Speaking of which, 22,000 new apartments were introduced to the neighborhood, including the controversial Brooklyn Tower. Designed by SHoP Architects, the high-rise has been financially troubled since opening, while commercial hubs like the Fulton Street Macy’s also shuttered earlier this year. Things may be looking up, though. The Adams administration has allotted $40 million to elevate the streetscape and redesign Flatbush Avenue with dedicated bus lanes, and the $8 million restoration of Fulton Mall seems to be paying off. “In theory, Downtown Brooklyn is a case study in how government is supposed to interact with the private sector,” Davidson writes. “The city makes rules to nudge but not dictate the future, and within those flexible parameters the market does what it wants.”
Design glitterati collaborates on homegoods for Zara
Cloudscape sleeping bags by David Sims for Zara; photo by Luca Bonnefille
As part of Zara’s 50th anniversary, the Spanish apparel brand has unveiled a limited-edition collection of wearables and functional objects, ranging from home décor to surfboards and luggage. In addition to fashion and pop culture icons (including Annie Leibovitz, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Luca Guadagnino, and Pedro Almodóvar), Designboom reports that a stacked lineup of design greats contributed to the line as well. Architects Norman Foster and David Chipperfield both crafted leather bags for the brand, while Vincent Van Duysen contributed handblown glass vessels, no two of which are the same. Glazed tumblers are the handiwork of Marc Newson, while design diva Es Devlin adds a concrete lamp to the catalog.
A24’s West Village playhouse adds new restaurant
The West Village neighborhood of Manhattan; photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Film studio A24 made headlines in 2023 when it purchased the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York’s West Village. Following a facelift, the playhouse recently reopened with the one-woman show Weer and also boasts talks with Spike Lee and Sofia Coppola on its calendar. Up next, however, is an in-house eatery. Grub Street reports that culinary titans Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr—the maestros behind the revitalizations of Minetta Tavern and Le Veau d’Or—are spearheading the upcoming launch of a 45-seat dining room designed by Zeb Stewart. Dubbed Wild Cherry, the windowless restaurant will be lined with green banquettes, striking light fixtures, white and green checkered floors, and a cherry leaf motif lining the walls.
Check out the BDNY 2025 conference agenda
Châlet Après, a BDNY Designed Space by Mazzarini & Co. and Apartments by Marriott; rendering courtesy of Vision Republic
In just over a month, BDNY 2025 is set to take over New York’s Jacob K. Javits Center once again. The trade fair has released its a stacked conference agenda, which features panels like the New Language of Luxury: How Materials and Mindset Are Reshaping Hospitality, Big Ideas: How Brand Strategy Can Elevate Hospitality Experiences, and AI as Co-Creator: Designing with Machines, Not for Them. The BDNY show floor will be elevated by a range of Designed Spaces for programming and engagement. Saguez & Dash will craft the BD Mainstage, dubbed La Clairière (the Glade), while Apartments by Marriott and Mazzarini & Co. will team up for Châlet Après, an alpine retreat defined by rustic sophistication, layered textures, and clean lines. In addition to several other activations, Nivek Remas is partnering with Dream Hotels on the poolside lounge-inspired Splash Pad as well. Register today!
