Collective Four

When I first heard about Dwell’s project and online miniseries, Building Green in Harlem, I had mixed reactions. At first I was nervous because, as a Harlem resident, I am hypersensitive to the various misinterpretations others have of the neighborhood. However, I was also glad that a nationally-distributed magazine decided to get involved with David Alan Basche and Alysia Reiner’s inspiring renovation. The masterminds behind the home office are Collective Four, a super-talented group of industrial design students at Pratt. My favorite part of the entire project are the nesting boxes used as well shelving; not only are they amazing to look at, but they they are made from Lyptus, a renewable material grown from eucalyptus trees. Steelcase, a company that specializes in environmentally conscious office furniture, donated the two chairs to complete the office. I am in awe of how the design process, which is documented in both a Flickr gallery and a blog documenting from the concept stages to the finished project. Now you’ll have to excuse me while I re-watch all seven episodes.

–Stephanie Young