For several years, the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) has engaged in an agency-wide initiative to improve retail outcomes. This project will develop new guidelines for the physical design of retail space, addressing new construction projects and if feasible, the retrofitting of existing buildings.
1. Research, Documentation, and Stakeholder Workshops
The project team—partner representatives, Fellows, and Design Trust staff—will hold stakeholder workshops to identify best practices in ground-floor retail design and associated costs to inform the development of the guidelines. Fellows will be expected to work with a team of experts to model prototypical mixed-use development projects and perform financial sensitivity analyses to ensure feasibility of design features within the context of affordable housing.
2. Draft and Finalize Design Guidelines
The project team will draft design guidelines based on research, documentation, and stakeholder input. After additional stakeholder input on the draft guidelines, the team will finalize the guidelines and recommendations.
3. Communicate Guidelines and Recommendations
The project team will compile research, writing, and graphic documentation for inclusion in the final project publication. The team will promote the findings through speaking engagements.
Design Trust Fellows are leading professionals in their field, and are chosen for their expertise, experience, and strong qualifications. Fellows must have demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as well as have direct experience producing deliverables similar to those of the Fellow Description. Once selected, Fellows will play a lead role on projects that will have a real impact on the City. Design Trust projects require significant time commitments from Fellows to work with multiple stakeholders, develop implementable strategies and recommendations, and produce final deliverables. Fellows will be expected to devote approximately 1-2 days per week to the project and participate in biweekly project meetings, from late September 2014 through the end of March 2015. A stipend will be awarded to the Fellow, commensurate with prior experience
The Fellows for Design Guidelines for Neighborhood Retail will work closely with the Design Trust and HPD staff and interface at key milestones with the project’s Advisory Committee, and selected peer reviewers. Selected applicants should be available to begin work the week of September 29, 2014, and remain available through the end of March 2015.
Architecture Fellow
The Architecture Fellow will be responsible for developing innovative strategies to maximize the use and flexibility of ground floor space in mixed-use affordable housing developments, as well as adjacent streetscapes. The Fellow will collaborate with the Engineering Fellow and Graphic Design Fellow in developing design guidelines and related recommendations. The Fellow will identify the critical design issues that need to be addressed in order for the space and streetscape to be most effectively used. This may include comprehensive general guidelines as well as typologically driven recommendations. Proposed solutions will be subject to realistic cost parameters and peer review.
The Architecture Fellow’s final deliverable will be a set of design and engineering guidelines for the effective, flexible use of ground floor space in mixed-use affordable housing developments. Process deliverables may include site analysis, detailed outlines of design issues, memoranda from interviews with stakeholders, visual presentations, and draft design and engineering guidelines, with supporting technical drawings and renderings.
The Fellow will be expected to conduct research with key stakeholders, which may include developers, contractors, designers, engineers, real estate professionals, retailers and related government agencies. Candidates should be licensed architects with at least seven years of relevant work experience and a degree in architecture. Preference will be given to candidates who have conducted research and developed projects related to ground-floor use of mixed-use affordable housing developments. Knowledge of retail strategies and streetscape design is a plus. Additionally, candidates should have significant experience in: graphically communicating and writing about complex issues for a broad public audience; working directly with and presenting to clients (public-sector clients preferred); working on collaborative projects or in teams. Proficiency in CAD software and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Engineering Fellow
The Engineering Fellow will be responsible for developing innovative strategies to maximize the use and flexibility of ground floor space in mixed-use affordable housing developments, as well as adjacent streetscapes. The Fellow will collaborate with the Architecture Fellow and Graphic Design Fellow in developing design guidelines and related recommendations. The Fellow will identify all the critical mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) and building systems issues that need to be addressed in order for the space and streetscape to be most effectively used. This may include comprehensive general guidelines as well as typologically driven recommendations. Proposed solutions will be subject to realistic cost parameters and peer review.
The Engineering Fellow’s final deliverable will be a set of design and engineering guidelines for the effective, flexible use of ground floor space in mixed-use affordable housing developments. Process deliverables may include site analysis, detailed outlines of engineering issues, memoranda from interviews with stakeholders, visual presentations, and draft design and engineering guidelines, with supporting technical drawings and renderings.
The Fellow will be expected to conduct research with key stakeholders, which may include developers, contractors, designers, engineers, real estate professionals, retailers, and related government agencies. Candidates should have at least seven years of relevant work experience and a degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates who have conducted research and developed projects related to retail and mixed-use affordable housing developments. Additionally, candidates should have significant experience in: writing about complex issues for a broad public audience; working directly with and presenting to clients (public-sector clients preferred); working on collaborative projects or in teams. Proficiency in CAD software and Adobe Creative Suite is required.
Graphic Design Fellow
The Graphic Design Fellow will be responsible for developing a graphic identity system for the project, supporting the Architecture and Engineering Fellow in the visual communication of their work, contributing to the development of signage guidelines for the project, and designing the final project publication. The Fellow will be expected to collaborate closely with the full project team from the start. Candidates should have at least five years of relevant work experience and a degree in Graphic Design or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working in architecture and the public realm and at multiple scales, ranging from book design to signage. Additionally, candidates should have significant experience in: graphically communicating complex issues for a broad public audience; working directly with and presenting to clients (public-sector clients preferred); working on collaborative projects or in teams.
Final deliverables will include graphic treatment of architecture/engineering drawings and related diagrams, the final project publication, and related promotional material. Process deliverables may include design concepts, interpretations and visualizations of the Architecture and Engineering Fellows’ work, and draft designs for the publication and related promotional material.
Design Trust Fellows receive benefits that impact their immediate and long-term career:
Candidates should send a cover letter specifying the Fellowship category they are applying for, a curriculum vitae and a sample of relevant work (PDF format) to fellowship@designtrust.org. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2014.
Firm principals and sole proprietors are encouraged to apply, understanding that the fellowship is a significant time commitment and with modest compensation. Professionals with full-time positions may apply if they have the support of their employers; recognition of firms can be arranged. Pairs of professionals may also apply to share a single fellowship. Students are not eligible to apply.
All applicants must have the legal ability to work in the United States and must be located in the New York City area to participate in meetings and events.
Interviews will be scheduled September 16-19, 2014. Please note: candidates under consideration will be contacted by e-mail. No phone calls, please.