Working as an architect in Brooklyn for the past year, I have come across a slew of resources for determining the legitimacy of that potential apartment — or if it is known, verifying whether there have been any prior complaints. One of these resources is OASIS, the Open Accessible Space Information System for New York City. OASIS is a mapping system supplied by the City of New York that contains information on every address in the five boroughs.An OASIS in a Sea of Industry
On looking up 1717 Troutman, we are able to determine that its land use is set for zoning and manufacturing, that there are no residential units, and by linking to its Department of Buildings file, that it has a total of 76 complaints filed against it, 13 open Department of Building violations, and 52 open Environmental Control Board violations. Had I known about about these complaints prior to renting at 1717 Troutman, I doubt I would have signed on.
You mean this was illegal?
It was not so much a room as a plywood cocoon, floating above the living space and accessed through a hatch in the floor. At a height of less than 6 feet, I had to crouch in order to clear the ceiling, and the only natural light came in through a stained glass window that opened out into the living room.
Whoa. I can't believe it. Who would have thought?
4 comments:
This guy was an achitect and he rented a plywood caccon?
You have a great future working for the city and serving on a community board.
Good comment, Miles! Made me smile!
...its land use is set for zoning and manufacturing
This person is an architect? Sounds like they need to make the licensing exam a little more difficult.
Yeah even I, an intern architect, have to wonder the legitimacy of this person. An architect? You cannot call yourself an architect until you are licensed by the state board...Why didn't this person do all this research before renting the apartment?... It is beyond me...Anon #3 you get your wish; the ARE 4.0 rolls around this summer and from what I hear is much harder than previous exam versions...And to top it all off, our industry has been hit hard with the economic catastrophe...Massive layoffs in the city...Many designers going back home...
Post a Comment