Projects

The Dear Neighbor Project

On view April 22—July 2025, Tiffany Baker's public art project increases public awareness of flooding in Gowanus.

In Spring 2025, our third Design Sprints cohort is partnering with NYC's Department of Small Business Services to activate vacant storefronts.

A community-led redesign of a public alley in Albany, NY.

Supporting community leaders and designers as they activate NYC's public spaces.

Public art and design tools to support civic engagement in Gowanus amidst the neighborhood's redevelopment.

Surfacing the work of emerging designers and testing new strategies to bring people together in public space.

Using our HQ as a flexible community space for friends and neighbors.

Long-term, community-led pandemic recovery across four boroughs in NYC.

Resident-led design projects in our home of Gowanus, Brooklyn.

The Van Alen Council is a invitation-only community of leading systems-thinkers spanning the design professions.