Meanwhile, New York City faces an escalating housing crisis. Rent has far outpaced wages—rising by a staggering 15% last year alone—while an influx of migrants and the end of the eviction moratorium have pushed even more families to the brink of homelessness. In response, the city has resorted to temporary solutions, such as purchasing hotel rooms for those in need.
My intervention addresses both this urgent housing crisis and Lincoln Center’s history of displacement. The Museum for the Displaced serves as both a space of remembrance and a site of direct support. It consists of three key components:
- A museum that commemorates the narratives lost to displacement.
- A service center that consolidates New York’s various non-governmental organizations working independently to address housing insecurity.
- Mid-to-long-term housing for those in need, offering dignity and stability beyond traditional shelters.
Located on Damrosch Park beside Koch Performance Hall, the building integrates the existing underground parking structure into its construction. Rising four stories, it creates a series of urban spaces with varying degrees of privacy, ensuring that residents are not put “on display.”
The ground floor houses the museum’s archival and exhibition spaces, while the second floor is dedicated to the service center. A spanning rooftop between these levels serves as both a communal green space and a protective barrier, fostering a sense of security and belonging for residents. The housing units above break away from the cramped layouts of typical shelters, offering generous space designed for extended occupancy and dignified living.
Architecturally, the building begins with a strict grid, reflecting the rigidity of systemic displacement. As it rises, the grid starts to fracture, symbolizing resistance, adaptation, and the reclaiming of space.
The Museum for the Displaced is not just a statement—it is an active response. It provides tangible support to those who have lost their homes while educating visitors on the consequences of urban erasure. It stands as both a reckoning with history and a step toward a more just future.