Architecture can catalyze new ways and forms of (sub) However, this potential has never been fully

been fully explored; condition of suburbia even in walkable scenarios, is

urban life in evolving suburbs. The articulated strip
proposes that the (often vilified) standard forms and condi-
tions of suburbia – here, the strip mall and the superblock
– can be the generative agents of suburbia’s re-formation.
In other words, the strip mall can save suburbia.
The strip mall has a remarkable systemized flexibility; it
can accommodate many programs, be deployed many
places, and produce many versions of its standard form.
rather, in its current guise, the strip mall typically produces
islands of architectural and programmatic sameness, further
isolated by seas of surface parking. The articulated strip
proposes a new, opportunistic strip typology that is highly
adaptable to the specific conditions of its implementation,
both programmatically and formally. A base of retail, live/
work, and/or civic programs is stacked with housing typolo-
gies that can be adjusted – in type and density - for the
target population(s). Parking, which remains a crucial
“flipped” behind the strip, creating a new programmatic
zone at the street that is specific to the new residen-
tial populations and responsive to adjacent conditions.
Residential parking sits between base and top, revealing
the sculptural and kinetic qualities of the car, and providing
easy access to the walk-up residential units. The articu-
lated strip can be deployed across medium or large sites,
but is particularly effective at the scale of the suburban
superblock, where its adaptability becomes most explicit.

THE ARTICULATED STRIP: OR, HOW THE STRIP MALL CAN SAVE SUBURBIA

WALK PLAY EAT SHOP SEE PERFORM

1 STRIP 2 FLIP 3 PROGRAM 4 STACK 5 ARTICULATE

typical existing condition maintain easily accessed retail parking inject uses to catalyze new relationships determine type and density of housing combine into new whole
Like many older suburbs, Hicksville, Long Island, is seeing
significant demographic change. In particular, Hicksville is
experiencing “brain drain”; only 9.4% of its population is
al orientation towards families and children; the suburbs
just aren’t hip. (All data from http://factfinder.census.gov/ Accessed 19
June 2010).
Target and an IKEA (the only one on Long Island); and there
is plentiful vacant land, currently used for parking but ripe
for redevelopment, between the train station and mall. I K E A
between the ages of 18-34. well below the national aver-

age of 13.4%, and dropping. Housing in Hicksville tends to
be large and single family (approximately 78% has three
bedrooms or more), owner occupied (approximately 86%),
and expensive. In total, housing options for young adults
are limited. Equally problematically, there really isn’t much
to do in Hicksville if you’re a young adult due to its historic-
But Hicksville has three key conditions that make it optimal
as a test site of intervention that targets the coveted
young adult demographic: Manhattan is easily accessible
via high frequency LIRR trains, express versions of which
take only 42 minutes; its train station is within easy walk-
ing distance to the Broadway Mall, whose anchors stores
AT RGET
The articulated strip seeks to exploit these character-
istics in the re-formation of Hicksville for a young adult
public. In so doing, it defines a stronger connection
between the train station and the mall, generates a more
active public realm and creates an anchor for futher re-
development in Hicksville.

HICKSVILLE, LONG ISLAND

ION
AT
N ST
AI
TR

HALF MILE RADIUS SITE DIAGRAM

BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF THE ARTICULATED STRIP IMPLEMETED AT EXISTING BROADWAY MALL AND EXISTING TRAIN STATION
 The train station site presents a long, linear condition.
Here, the ground level is primarily retail, with complemen-
tary small scale civic functions, such as the DMV and a
branch library, that cluster near the heavily used station.
N The new outdoor court at the train station is programmed
IO
AT
ST
RA
IN for performance, such as music and film, as well as for
T
food. Commuter parking is located behind the retail bar;
drivers pass through and along stores and courts on their
way to the train station. The second primary court is for
outdoor markets.

HICKSVILLE TRAIN STATION

RESIDENTIAL 4

RESIDENTIAL 1

PARKING

2BR LOFT
1BR LOFT
CAR PATH
PEDESTRIAN PATH
PARKING
LIVE/WORK
VIEW FROM EXISTING TRAIN PLATFORM TO NEW COURT, WITH MALL BEYOND RETAIL/CIVIC GROUND
 The Broadway Mall site - currently parking - presents two

IKEA
distinct conditions and scales. The north side faces Target
RKAINGE and a collection of outward facing restaurants in the mall.
PAA G
R
G
Here the articulated strip is anchored by retail space; it

TARGET
NTS
AURA
REST creates courts focused around a farmer’s market across from
the Target, and cafes and nightclubs at restaurant row. The
south side, however, faces a residential neighborhood. Here,
the courts are more domestic in program; they are lined with
live/work space, and are programmed with sports and leisure
activities, such as basketball, a public pool, and bocce courts.

BROADWAY MALL
RESIDENTIAL 4

RESIDENTIAL 1

PARKING

2BR LOFT
1BR LOFT
CAR PATH
PEDESTRIAN PATH
PARKING
LIVE/WORK
VIEW FROM RESIDENTIAL BALCONY TO BASKETBALL COURTS RETAIL/CIVIC GROUND
VIEW TO NEW FARMER’S MARKET COURT OPPOSITE EXISTING TARGET