Our mixed-use buildings are purposefully designed to encourage social interaction. They are open and publicly accessible. The spaces attract and create opportunities for public involvement and serve both to connect community members with each other and to establish a unique identity in the larger common.

Our first development of this style, 1529 West Sixth Avenue, represents a cross section of residential and artistic applications. Artists, photographers, musicians and many types of designers are complemented by consultants, production studios and art galleries. The mix is lively, eclectic and stimulating.

I designed this building to provide users with provocative points of contact, both with other users and with the building itself. There are many architectural "challenges": odd angles, unusual views, narrow catwalks, very high open stairs, elevators opening to dramatic views, etc. In one elevator car, the lights dim dramatically when the car begins to move and brighten again before the doors open. The same car has windows in both the floor and ceiling. The intention of these design moves is to create spaces that demand the attention of users, creating opportunities for social interaction between tenants, and we have found this strategy to be highly successful.

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