Then, they applied their new knowledge to uplift an existing community asset: the Greene Garden. Greene Garden is a member-run community garden that fosters connection and empowerment; It provides an outdoor space for residents to enjoy, and hosts community events such as open-mic nights, artisan pop-ups, and food and clothing drives. At the time, the garden didn’t have much seating, and its leaders were looking for a solution that celebrated and supported their existing programming.

Together– with feedback from Greene Garden leaders, visionary designs from the youth activists, and construction-expertise from our A+A Volunteers– we co-created a design for a bench that would honor and elevate the powerful grassroots programming in the garden. 

Architecture + Advocacy volunteers from Columbia University played a key role by translating these design concepts into precise construction documents, CNC-cutting materials, and developing an easy assembly system so that everyone could lend a hand at the community-build day. 

The resulting bench, with its organic, undulating form, brings beautiful design to an existing resource-hub, showing residents that their communal spaces matter, and they deserve a voice in shaping the world around them.