A.L.L. H.U.M.A.N.S Are Born Equal – Advancing Local Leadership: Harlem’s Urban Metropolitan Architecture Network System

By Farzana Gandhi, Alessandro Melis, Fadhil Fadhil, Claire Ronan, Liam Donovan, and Kaleigh Trentadue

"A.L.L. H.U.M.A.N.S. Are Created Equal is a community-led public art and urban design initiative located within a GreenThumb community garden in East Harlem, New York. The project engages faculty and student researchers from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), local artists, and neurodiverse residents, particularly individuals on the autism spectrum. A series of participatory workshops integrates art, technology, and community storytelling.

Through community participatory workshops and sustainable digital fabrication methods, the project advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Generative AI plays a key role in the creative process by enabling rapid ideation, visual exploration, and iterative refinement of design concepts in real time.

The final installation will be constructed from CNC-cut laminated plywood fins that support embedded acrylic domes. Community participants will help determine the objects placed within these domes in recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence. These items may include culturally significant artifacts and community-selected objects, potentially including Indigenous references that reflect the layered histories, identities, and cultural heritage of East Harlem and its residents.

Inspired by Harlem’s rich graffiti tradition, the project creates a platform for dialogue at the intersection of identity, public art, and the built environment. Deep community engagement ensures that the installation authentically reflects local culture, fosters inclusivity, and demonstrates an equitable, participatory approach to design practice.

Projected Installation Timeline: May 2026; design and engagement in progress"

A unique wooden structure resembling abstract waves stands in a garden filled with green plants and purple flowers. The structure has clear, transparent sections displaying printed pages inside. In the background, there is a small wooden shed with a green door and a brick wall. The setting appears lush and inviting, featuring a stone pathway and garden beds.