The aging community typically faces many barriers that keep older individuals from pursuing new passions and remaining active within their community. Fixed incomes beyond retirement and a fragile social network are two of those barriers which The Alternative American Dream addresses. Typically, retired people invest their fixed income into their existing lifestyle, but, by joining a co-op, they can stretch their money in order to give themselves the freedom to continue pursuing their interests and exploring new hobbies. The focus of AAD is to provide low cost options for consistent, temporary housing with shared amenities. This allows community members to have the freedom accommodate secondary populations, further offsetting the cost of living and providing them with the means to travel, heal, and discover new hobbies. Additionally, the tight-knit community offered by the co-op provides a substantial and sustained social fabric.

The Alternative American Dream provides many shared features, including meals, educational instruction, art classes, cooking demonstrations, exercise classes, gardening tools, mechanical equipment, a garden, an outdoor stage, and a common house for large gatherings. The shared programs are led by members of the community and are based on their interests and expertise. Community members are encouraged to utilize any of these features for a small fee. Additionally, the community is served by the co-op through programs that vary by house. For example, homeless youth, at risk seniors, and traveling performing artists have can be accommodated for a limited amount of time.

The goal of this project was to create a cooperative for an aging population looking to (re)discover hobbies and passions, and to create a unique and thriving community for aging senior citizens in the Masten Park area of Buffalo, NY.

Community members have access to both public and private studio and workspaces. These spaces can accommodate a variety of interests. With strategic placement of the studio workspaces along the street front, the work and artistry of the community is at the heart of the cooperative while remaining visible to the local community

The objective of the project was to create a place for seniors with the desire of making things with their hands, so that they can have a place to live and work in a closer proximity than normal situations. It was developed to work in partnership with the foundry, whose mission is to increase the neighborhood’s prosperity by empowering individuals through education and entrepreneurship.

As the elderly population continues to grow, seniors and retired adults are recognizing a need to focus on exercise in order to maintain their quality of life. Exercise plays a critical role in the health and happiness of the aging population. It can even lead to a longer lifespan. Thus, the objective of the project is to provide a cooperative for senior citizen to live while maintaining an healthy lifestyle through sport and art.