Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is one of our specializations. Using existing structures for new applications is a challenging and rewarding process.

Mrs. William Hill's experience began at two architectural offices in the middle and late 1970s creating Section 8 housing within old law, new old law, and new law structures.

Hill Residential Units

Client: Hill Funeral Home, Brooklyn, New York

Four studio apartments in existing new law structure with thriving commercial business at street level.

We specialize in rehabilitation of buildings and neighborhoods.

Infill housing for existing parcels provide the opportunity to reinforce the physical and social block.

Rehab and infill housing projects could be resurrected to create jobs, businesses, and stabilize neighborhoods as was done 40 years ago.

1 Ashburton Place, Yonkers, New York

Clients: Zen Buddhist Community of New York, Greyston Builders, Inc.

Infill structure with two housing unit options adjacent to Greyston Builders offices.

We maintain that “Architecture is an extension of the human body” and thus, any sense or ability unavailable to a user can and should be, in some way, present in the structure to accommodate that user.

Rehabilitation, in some cases, had been unsuccessful because of existing limitations. An opportunity may occur where the option to expand laterally is possible. However, where one may have the ability to generate revenue from, for example, a number of rentable units, expanding laterally may result in a decrease of units. The unit mixture is more desirable if there is a variety of tenants that reflects the human community. Other weight-bearing issues include the principle and interest on the construction loan now mortgage and what the target market can afford.

Several years ago, I had the idea of documenting which theaters in New York City could be used by the physically challenged. I am sure someone has created the handbook already. I spoke with several theater owners whose buildings could not accommodate revisions for access, according to an audit. Remember, one only needs to know where to go to get what they want.