THE RESPONSE

Body-ody-ody represents a bold critique of modernist norms and their exclusionary legacies. Our process began with a nuanced study of Harlem’s architectural vernacular, extracting elements like masonry, stoops, and bulkheads to craft a design language that celebrates diversity. We used ornamentation as a central tool, super-sizing and reinterpreting historical motifs to create an embodied architecture that invites engagement across scales.

The retail flagship located on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard became a testing ground for our theories. The façade becomes an active participant in retail life, incorporating alcoves for merchandising, spaces for seating, and apertures for light. Undulating curves transform the traditional storefront into a sculptural experience, blending beauty with functionality.

By prioritizing adaptive reuse, we turned NYC historical district codes into a “ribbon of potential,” creating opportunities for transformation within tightly regulated spatial parameters. This strategy culminated in a façade-first design approach, where the exterior informs interior resolutions, fostering coherence and versatility.