VAN ALEN INSTITUTE IMPACT REPORT 2025
2026
INTRO PROGRAMS PEOPLE FINANCES
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AND JUST LIKE THAT...
Last year’s Bond Street Bash served as my warm welcome to Van Alen Institute; this year, it marks the completion of my first year leading this incredible community. Looking back, I am filled with pride for what we’ve built and immense enthusiasm for the road ahead. In the past year, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to community-led design. From activating the public realm through projects like Friends from the Canal in Gowanus and Los Círculos in Washington Heights, to building the capacity of emerging civic leaders through our Design District Fellowship, we are proving that inclusive processes yield more resilient cities. Our Urban Room at 303 Bond Street has become livelier than ever, as we engage with students from elementary to graduate levels on collaborative projects and research. The inaugural Van Alen Vanguard — a cohort of 21 rising professionals reimagining the designer’s role in civic life — has also brought transformative energy to the Urban Room as they reconfigure it as a site for exhibition-making, knowledge-sharing, and debate. We’re also looking inward to craft our trajectory forward. We’re now deep into researching Van Alen’s archive — rediscovering, interrogating, and preserving more than 130 years of architectural history. These learnings form the foundation for a globally-informed approach to citymaking, which we’ll explore through relaunching Van Alen’s storied Paris Prize with a 21st century outlook and embarking on international learning expeditions, beginning in Kigali, Rwanda. With a deepening vision for equitable citymaking, we are just getting started. Thank you to our Board, supporters, and collaborators. To those just joining us: Welcome to the fold. Let’s create the future of the public realm, together.
Hayley Eber Executive Director, Van Alen Institute June 2026
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Since 1894, Van Alen has invested in people with a passion for improving cities through the power of architecture and design. In 2020, we refocused our mission on creating equitable cities through community-led inclusive design. Since then, we’ve:
Partnered with 530+ designers and civic leaders on new public space projects
Leveraged $1.2M in direct financial support and $9.5M in pro bono design resources
Enhanced public realm design in 41 neighborhoods, home to 2 million New Yorkers
Friends from the Canal unveiling, 2026. Photo: Argenis Apolinario
District Design Fellowship kickoff, 2025. Photo: Alisha Kim Levin
Los Círculos, 2025. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
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DESIGN FELLOWSHIPS 2024–present Building the capacity of community leaders to develop design solutions in their neighborhoods
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Since 2024, our community-led design fellowships have enabled emerging local leaders to collaborate with designers on impactful public space projects. Through training, technical assistance, and collaboration, our fellows receive the design resources they need in their work toward equity. They also develop silo-breaking relationships with designers and city agencies, and the experience to implement future public space projects. Using vacant storefronts as a canvas for design activations, Design Sprints: Building Creative Capacity (2025) reinforced the vital role of culture in maintaining thriving commercial corridors and made community histories more visible. Building on that work, our District Design Fellowship (2025–26) encouraged fellows to think long-term, resulting in bespoke neighborhood vision plans for developing more cohesive and resilient commercial corridors.
“In the face of rapid development, representation is super important. Van Alen stewarded us and our vision every step of the way.” Francesca Fernandez Bruce Executive Director, Grand Street BID
“The more crazy the world gets, being able to work in smaller scales feels really important. You can actually do something that matters.” Leigh Mignogna Principal, L&L Studios
DESIGN FELLOWSHIPS 2024–present Building the capacity of community leaders to develop design solutions in their neighborhoods
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• 83 leaders and 66 designers engaged, advancing 15 public space projects in neighborhoods with 1.1M residents • $100,000+ regranted directly to grassroots community partners • $375,000 in pro bono design support to build community capacity
The People Make the Place, a Design Sprints activation. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
Placeholders, a Design Sprints activation. Photos: Cameron Blaylock and Alisha Kim Levin
District Design Fellowship participants. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
COMMON BUILD 2014–present Public space activations that engage local residents while providing catalytic exposure for emerging designers
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Art and design are powerful tools to ensure the public realm is welcoming for all. Since 2014, Van Alen has collaborated with local organizations and designers to create community-led space activations that encourage discovery and connection. In Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood, Los Círculos (2025–26) is inspired by how people form circles for dancing, celebration, and gathering. Designed by Marvel and Community League of the Heights (CLOTH) with a coalition of design experts and local organizations, this multi-site lighting installation increases a sense of joy, unity, and belonging. The third public installation in our home of Gowanus, Friends from the Canal (2026) by Mookntaka imagines gentle creatures emerging from the Gowanus Canal to investigate the neighborhood’s new development and environmental remediation. This multi-site public art project encourages residents to explore their own neighborhood with fresh eyes and reminds them that play can exist in the most unexpected places.
“When I see Los Círculos, I think about our circles. Who can we help in our circles? Who can we lift in our circles? This is why this is so powerful to me.”
Domingo Cruz Executive Director, Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation
“Seeing Los Círculos come to life exactly the way we hoped was just so fulfilling. The pride that we have for the way it’s weaving into the community is really strong.” Jeremy Iannucci Architect, Marvel
COMMON BUILD
• 38 artists and designers engaged across 20 public art installations
2014–present Public space activations that engage local residents while providing catalytic exposure for emerging designers
• 37 sites activated with community-driven, interactive installations
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• 32 live performances and public events supporting local arts and culture
Los Círculos. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
Los Círculos. Photo: Samuel Lahoz
Friends from the Canal. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
Friends from the Canal. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
URBAN ROOM 2020–present A dynamic civic hub for critical design conversations and communitywide connection
A gathering space since 2020, Van Alen’s Urban Room is the monthly meeting spot for Brooklyn Community Board 6 and hosts activities led by many local civic groups, including AIA Brooklyn, City Council District 39, and NYCHA Gowanus Houses’ Resident Association. We also activate the Urban Room through open houses, public programs, and educational partnerships that engage students through in-depth collaborations, research, and field trips. In 2026, we inaugurated the Urban Room as a venue for thought-provoking design exhibitions with The House Transformed. Originating at the Princeton University School of Architecture, this exhibition showcased more than 40 alternative concepts for domestic architecture. The Urban Room is now also a platform for the Van Alen Vanguard — a cohort of 21 rising design professionals — to develop their own programming, from exhibitions to debates to knowledge exchange. The Urban Room is made possible through founding support from Jared Della Valle.
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“Van Alen has been a good space for NYCHA residents and community leaders within the development. We look forward to collaborating with them on things we’d like to happen in our community.” Theresa Davis Community Advocate
“It’s been wonderful to see how many folks in the Gowanus neighborhood come through. It’s clear that this is a hub for community.” Rebecca Pristoop Curator, ArtBridge
URBAN ROOM
• 130+ events reaching more than 7,300 residents and designers
2020–present A dynamic civic hub for critical design conversations and communitywide connection
• 9 schools engaged — ranging from middle schools to graduate programs — reaching 475 students
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• 83 community-led gatherings, supporting civic engagement and local decision-making
The House Transformed opening. Photo: Cameron Blaylock
Van Alen Fall Fest 2025. Photos: Toby Tenenbaum
Field trip with MS 447. Photo: Alisha Kim Levin
COLLABORATORS A05 Studio ADL Studio AIA Brooklyn AIA New York | Center for Architecture Allied Works The Architect’s Newspaper ArtBridge Arts Gowanus Baruch College BD Feliz Berkeley Carroll School Brooklyn Community Board 6 Brooklyn Public Library Brynn Anderson Buro Happold Cafe Mars Centro Cultural Barco de Papel City Council District 39 — Office of NYC Councilmember Shahana Hanif Columbia GSAPP Columbia University
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Irving Medical Center Community League of the Heights Consulate General of Switzerland in New York Cooper Square Committee David Foulke Memorial Garden Delphine Le Goff Diana Araujo Farzana Gandhi Design Studio FDNY EMS Station 32 Friends of Thomas Greene Playground Gensler Gowanus Canal Conservancy Gowanus Oversight Task Force Gowanus Wharf Grand Street BID HiBye Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation L&L Studio
La Colmena Landmark West! Martha Hall Marvel Mookntaka MOS Studio MS 447 — The Exploratory School New Project NewYork-Presbyterian NHDM Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance NYC Department of Small Business Services NYC Department of Transportation NYCHA — Wyckoff Gardens NYC Parks Old Stone House One Love Community Fridge Open House New York ORG Pentagram Perkins Eastman
Powerhouse Arts Pratt Institute Princeton University School of Architecture Public Design Alliance Public Housing Community Fund ReFrame Architecture Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rosanna Valencia Sarah Saad Sighte Studio Sylvia Riveros TANKHOUSE Textile Arts Center The New School — Parsons Thought Matter Tiffany Baker TYLin United Palace WHEDco Zhiyao Zang
SUPPORTERS Allison Freedman Weisberg, Round Peg Americans for the Arts AV&C Charlotte and Neill Wessell Civitas Denzil Gallagher, Buro Happold Elise Jaffe Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs Community Development Grants Program Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects Jared Della Valle KPF Lauren Kogod and David Smiley MBB Architects MillerKnoll
NCheng National Endowment for the Arts NYC Council — Brooklyn Borough Delegation NYC Department of Cultural Affairs NYC Department of Small Business Services NYS Council on the Arts Philip Lee Sharon Davis Foundation Thornton Tomasetti WorkAC WXY
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VAN ALEN BOARD Executive Committee Chair R. May Lee President, Olin College of Engineering Vice Chair Carla Swickerath* Partner, Studio Libeskind Treasurer Thomas Yu Executive Director, Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE) Secretary Kia Weatherspoon Founder, Determined by Design Mark Johnson President, Civitas Hana Kassem* Principal, KPF Carol E. Rosenthal Senior Counsel, Real Estate, Fried Frank *Board terms ended in 2025–26
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Board Members Anand Amin Senior Development Manager, DBI Projects Robert Bernstein* Partner, Holland & Knight Ben Cruz Founder and Creative Director, Gold Rhino Denzil Gallagher US Managing Director and Partner, Buro Happold Mark Gardner* Principal, Jaklitsch / Gardner Architects
Jenn Gustetic* Innovation and Technology Executive Alex Hammerschlag Co-Founder, The Effectus Group Sebastian Mendez Co-Founder, Tankhouse Katie Swenson Senior Principal, MASS Design Group Diana Reyna Principal, Diana Reyna Strategic Consulting, LLC Michelle Roelofs Associate Principal, Arup
Allison Freedman Weisberg* Principal, Round Peg Claire Weisz Principal-in-Charge, WXY Byron Bell (Emeritus) Byron Bell Architects & Planners
VAN ALEN VANGUARD Farida Abu-Bakare Associate Principal and Director of Global Practice, WXY Annie Barrett Founding Principal, Aanda Architects Francesca Bastianini Co-Founder and Principal, Sighte Studio Ekin Bilal Co-Founder, NOT NOT Diana Budds Journalist Pamela Cabrera Senior Associate, Transsolar KlimaEngineering
Celia Chaussabel Co-Founder, NOT NOT Justin Den Herder Vice President and Principal, TYLin Curry J. Hackett Clinical Assistant Professor, NYU Steinhardt Jerome Haferd Founder, JEROME HAFERD Studio Ekene Ijeoma Founder, Studio Ijeoma Dione Lee Senior Designer, HUSH Studios
Taylor Loutsis Creative Director and Founder, Studio Loutsis Jessie McGuire Managing Partner, Thought Matter Benjamin Meade Senior Design Director, Alloy Development Daniel Pittman Partner, TAD Sanjukta Sen Landscape and Architectural Designer, Field Operations Clara Syme Co-Director, a83
Hermona Tamrat Founding Principal, hgt studio Paula Vilaplana Curatorial Associate, MoMA Charlotte Wessell Director of Development, GSAPP
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STAFF + PARTNERS Meah Benoit SYEP Intern Cameron Blaylock Photographer Sabrina Bodé Director of Finance and Operations Andrew Brown Director of Programs Shiloah Coley Program Manager
Emily Conklin Network and Public Programs Manager Hayley Eber Executive Director Annie Ferreira Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager Jason R.A. Foster Filmmaker Ida Marie Hansen, Archive Research Fellow
Kelsey Harrison Archive Intern Alisha Kim Levin Director of Communications Scott Kelly Graphic Designer Rennie McCarthy Finance and Operations Intern Joseph Messana-Croly Program Manager
Kate Overbeck Director of Strategic Partnerships Mikel Sanchez Futures and Options Intern Janeen Schiff Archivist Elisa Smilovitz Publicist Caroline Walker Archive Intern
2025 FINANCES Revenue Restricted Funding Unrestricted Funding Van Alen Investment Total
460,004 251,431 1,349,160 2,060,595
22% 12% 66%
Expense Administration 175,766 Fundraising 434,832 Programs 1,454,320 Total 2,064,918
*Preliminary financials; figures are unaudited and subject to revision.
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9% 21% 70%
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