Hester Street

New York, NY

In 2002, Leroy Street Studio founded Hester Street, a nonprofit participatory design/build workshop, to improve the physical environment in underserved NYC neighborhoods. HST’s guiding principle is that civic engagement in participatory design helps disadvantaged residents create a profound impact on their communities. HST works with local residents to transform neglected public spaces in parks, schools, and affordable housing developments through a design/build process which allows community stakeholders to play a hands-on role. This approach encourages a sense of ownership in the built environment by offering members of the community the opportunity to plan and realize a shared vision. In addition to running an extensive design/build education program in several New York City public schools, HST uses its architecture, design, and community-visioning expertise to initiate site-specific projects that work in tandem with community-led efforts to improve parks and other neighborhood spaces.

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