143 washington

commissioned by Win/Lose Projects

Newburgh, NY

summer 2020

The restoration of 143 Washington provides an exciting opportunity to create an enriching, socially conscious, and participatory space in the heart of the City of Newburgh. This letter illustrates our team’s proposal to turn one of the oldest buildings presented by the Newburgh Community Land Bank into a contemporary hub for community engagement. With a focus on urban agriculture and creative expression, the property at 143 Washington will become a model for future civic initiatives.
This instance of adaptive reuse is designed to engage members of the Newburgh community who do not currently have access to or feel welcome in community spaces. Our mission is to direct our endeavors towards Newburgh’s black community with the goal of empowering black people to participate in urban farming and the creation of art. A participatory space for those historically underserved is a necessary addition to the city’s existing infrastructure.

PRODUCE a new urban agricultural center in the green space that runs along the corners of Federal and Washington Street. Edible food, flowers, and plants native to the region will come together in the community garden to create an experiential education center.

REDUCE food waste by establishing a dedicated compost system for Newburgh’s Downtown, enabling individuals and local businesses to responsibly dispose of their excess, while supporting a sustainable infrastructure for the city.

EXPAND upon the large foundation afforded by the three-bay garage to build a new, two-story structure that will facilitate small workshops, panels, learning experiences, and site-specific installations.

Team: Ihwa Choi + Ekin Bilal

Description by Win/Lose Projects