The Institute for Public Architecture (IPA) has announced the opening of applications for its prestigious 2026 Independent Project Residency program, which will be housed at the historic Block House on Governors Island in New York. This eleven-week live-in residency program represents a unique opportunity for creative professionals to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration while developing independent projects focused on the public realm.
The residency program specifically targets emerging and mid-career practitioners whose work centers on public space and community engagement. Eligible applicants include architects, urbanists, landscape architects, designers, artists, and researchers who demonstrate a commitment to public-focused creative practice. The program aims to foster new interdisciplinary opportunities by bringing together diverse professionals in a collaborative living and working environment.
Participants will have access to the historic Block House facility on Governors Island, which serves as both living quarters and workspace for the duration of the eleven-week program. The residency is designed to create a community atmosphere where residents can live, work, and develop their independent projects while engaging in collective thinking and cross-disciplinary dialogue with fellow participants.
The IPA Independent Project Residency program emphasizes the importance of public realm-focused work, seeking to support projects that contribute to broader conversations about architecture, urban planning, and public space design. Residents will have the opportunity to develop their projects within a supportive community environment, with access to the unique setting of Governors Island and its resources.
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the established submission process, with the program scheduled to commence in 2026. The residency represents a significant opportunity for practitioners to advance their work while contributing to the broader mission of the Institute for Public Architecture in promoting thoughtful, community-centered design and planning practices.
