Through our research initiatives, we seek to explore new ideas and a more comprehensive understanding of architecture in the social realm. Integral to actLAB’s process is to be engaged in the current discourse of Architecture through teaching, competitions and publications. actLAB’s principal, Aya Maceda, is a studio critic and lecturer at Parsons School of Design SCE. Studios such as City of Play and Micro-Macro Living allow for the investigation of emerging issues of Architecture to explore possibilities through design. actLAB’s recent research agenda is produced and disseminated through collaborations with HardWorking GoodLooking. 

We dedicate time as a practice towards projects of social significance, bringing design to communities in need and those unable to access architects for their development causes.  We believe in the positive impacts of design and that it should be provided to all.  In 2013, actLAB principal, Aya Maceda was awarded the Percival and Naomi Goodman Fellowship by Columbia University GSAPP which enabled the conceptualization of our first project, The Active School.   To date, we are building the two Active Schools in disaster-stricken Bohol, Philippines and we are currently designing a Community Kitchen and multi-purpose community center in culturally diverse neighborhood of Woodside, Queens.  (To support our work, please contact info@actlabny.com)…