Stoops to Conquer: The Evolution of the New York Townhouse

New York City in the popular imagination may be defined by the skyscraper, but in reality our city’s landscape is dominated by a grid plan that minced most blocks into a staggering number of narrow lots – easily bought, sold, and built upon. The development of these small individual lots produced entire neighborhoods of narrow residential buildings, making the townhouse the true vernacular architecture of the city. Join architect Richard Sammons as he traces the origins and evolution of the ever-present townhouse in New York City. Townhouses give so many historic neighborhoods their charm, but what are the weaknesses of the form? And how can modern architects and city-dwellers improve upon this classic architectural style to bring the economical, adaptable, and sustainable townhouse into the 21st century?

Presented in partnership with the Merchants House Museum.