The Media is the Neighborhood

What would the physical forms and regulatory norms for small businesses and local wealth generation look like? Mx.org explores the idea of contemporary industrial commons and the potential of new building typologies and zoning regulations that can support the growth of small businesses in areas facing rapid growth. Mx.org is a design research project that focuses on the ways design can empower local communities to become stake- holders of their future. Focusing on the Gowanus, Mx.org proposes a new way of governing and implementing through a new model for development: a zoning district and consequent building typology.

Prevent big, embrace small: Mx.org proposes a maximum lot size to discourage assemblage of large parcels and allow more players to share in the inevitable increase in the value of the land.

Don’t accumulate, share: By requiring a minimum unit count mx.org intends to diversify and distribute wealth to a number of business owners from the beginning. The core-t-yards. A public circulation system would be provided in the front court. A second means of egress, utility chases, and a winch for the hauling of goods would be provided in a rear service core, and contiguous easements would form a service alley, which would be shared and managed by agreement of the owners.

Jeffrey Shumaker

Tracey Hummer

Miriam Peterson

Montemayor Lucrecia

Cassim Shepard

Lloyd DesBrisay

Leanne Mella

Alec Rovensky

Nathan Rich

Marissa Feddema

Andy Bernheimer

Despo Thoma