Innovative Affordable Community Incorporates Energy-Efficient Features and Playful Design
The Morrisania neighborhood of New York City is changing with the times. The area, once dominated by manufacturing, is currently transitioning to a mixed-use district. Third Avenue Development — designed by Curtis + Ginsberg Architects and 2020 Best in Green Affordable Multifamily Community for the Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards — is one of the latest new buildings now possible because of a 2003 rezoning.
The newly constructed eight-story, mixed-use building offers 30 units of affordable rental housing and an early childhood educational facility. Already LEED Platinum certified, the project is also designed for Passive House (PHIUS) certification — one of the first in the Bronx. It implements the NYC Active Design Guidelines, which further promote healthy living.
The mixed-income, 52,000-square-foot project includes:
- 14 rental units for low-income households,
- Eight rental units for moderate income households, and
- Eight units set aside for homeless households.
- Green roofs,
- Skylights,
- Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs),
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and cooling systems, and
- Energy-efficient windows, lighting and appliances.