BY CYBELE POLICASTRO

This week Bleecker Street Beat spends some time with Irem Cansu Yildiz, Architect and MA Candidate in Design Studies at Parsons. Irem is working on her thesis, The Vacant Store Initiative. First check out this video we did which will show Irem out in the field, followed by an interview.

Where are you from originally and what brought you to New York?

I am from Istanbul, Turkey. I moved to New York in August 2016 to pursue my master’s in Parsons the New School for Design.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background and what led you to do this project?

I have experiences in various lands of design – architecture, hospitality design, event design and management, design research and strategy, and retail design. I am very intrigued by exploring the alternative ways of practicing our everyday life through rethinking conventional means of spaces, systems, and services. The roots of my thesis go back to the work that I was doing with a young urban culture brand, NOW. With the purpose of contributing to the urban culture, NOW. designs event series in different urban settings by tweaking the usual programs of those spaces such as brunch parties in a different coffee shop every Sunday or warm up to the night at a different local liquor store every Friday. So, I've been practicing how to apply different tactics that tackle the relationship dynamics of culture and program through spaces to create better experiences – for a while now.

Can you describe what your Vacancy Initiative is about?

The Vacant Store Initiative is a program proposal that is a part of my thesis work. The Initiative mainly activates vacant retail stores by creating hybrid uses in one space through matching up different businesses. It focuses on the stretch of Bank and Carmine Streets on Bleecker. The purposes are vitalizing street life, supporting current businesses and encouraging new small businesses. One of the main responsibilities of the Initiative is to understand and analyze the needs of the neighborhood. To make it happen, the Initiative facilitates the conversation between stakeholders. It builds up a ratio that assures the needs of the neighborhood and then creates room for ancillary uses. Besides the proposal of the Initiative, my thesis suggests some policy changes. By quoting from my thesis, “I see the Vacant Store Initiative as not an end product, but a generative process that constantly seeks a balance between theory and practice, consumption and production, local and global, yesterday and tomorrow – and urban and village, by constructing a solid approach on how to apply tactics and strategies to reframe and transform everyday life practices and experiences through space.”

How did you get started on this project?

Right after the initial research on vacancy problem in NYC, I decided that it was a great case study for me to explore what I’ve been interested in. I can say that it was a long process until I “ended up” – as my thesis work, with the proposal of the Vacant Store Initiative. Along the process, I did a lot of research including historical readings, stakeholder mapping and analysis, many interviews, theoretical analysis, market research, street interviews, etc,..

Who are the main stakeholders on Bleecker Street (who will determine what happens there?)

Landlords, businesses, and residents are the most salient ones. But - the power of real estate and retail industries cannot deniable. The life of the street is highly affected by the fluctuations and trends specifically in those industries. The city government is one of the stakeholders with the power of creating and applying policies. Community organizations with their power of bringing the community together and bringing attention to specific subject matters. Also, I think it is important to point out the fact that even though it seems like a local project, it is a part of a bigger picture. The needs and habits of people are changing because of the way that technology's a growing part in our lives. The change is inevitable as it is drastically fast - and Bleecker Street is a great case study to see the complexity of the issue.

Once you collect your data, what’s the next step?

I will share the project with different stakeholders who contributed to the process. I would love to continue working on it to not only to make it real but also to trigger an exciting conversation!

When will we be able to see the results of your study?

The project will be exhibited at Parsons the New School for Design between May 7th and 17th on 66 Fifth Avenue. To look at the details of the project and follow the process, you should check my website! And please don’t hesitate to contact!