01.10.2009
A competition providing “New Housing For New York” prompted Grimshaw to develop this community-centered multi-family residential scheme that emanated from a focus on the health and well-being of tenants.
This article was originally published in Blue 01: Waste, Water and Energy in 2009. You can see the article in its original format, and other articles, online.
New York City, in an effort to curb a growing housing crisis, has executed a variety of programs, competitions and schemes in an effort to increase the number of housing units available in the city, particularly those geared towards mid and lower income residents. Grimshaw has participated in a number of these competitions and bid processes, often in concert with additional architects, developers, landscape architects and other consultants. Over time, separate initiatives and competitions have addressed a range of design solutions tailored to specific local and demographic circumstances. What unites these developments is not only an increased commitment to design, but increasing demand and competition for the few units that are available.
Different schemes showing flexibility of the space. AdAPT NY.
In Long Island City, a formerly industrial waterfront neighborhood in Queens, the city has erected towering residential buildings, Hunter’s Point South, that offer stunning views of Manhattan and easy access to public transportation. The number of applications for the 924 available units exceeded 92,700 before the lottery’s closing date in December, 2014. Grimshaw’s unsuccessful competition entry for the project, executed with Jonathan Rose Companies and Fetner Properties, proposed a project with 100% permanently affordable units available at a mix of income levels. Even in this seemingly best case scenario, approximately half of families in Queens earn below the minimum income threshold that imparts eligibility for subsidized units. The final project, anticipating residents in mid-2015, is anticipated to set aside 60% of units as affordable to low and moderate income families.
The building, containing 55 apartments that range from 250 to 370 square feet, is meant to accommodate New York’s growing number of one and two person households who are willing to share some amenities, like gardens, storage space, a lounge and a gym, with other tenants. The team behind the winning entry, to be completed by the end of 2015, includes Monadnock Development LLC, Actors Fund Housing, Corcoran Sunshine and architects nARCHITECTS.
The development is defined by habitable roof spaces with amenities including open spaces for play, an amphitheater for lounging or movie projection and more ‘green’ space.
Prior to both Hunter’s Point South and AdAPT NYC, a consortium of high level organizations introduced the New Housing New York Ideas competition. The competition was initiated by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and Enterprise Community Partners. The brief called for affordable housing that exhibits innovative design solutions to New York City’s pressing housing production problems. The proposal stressed that submitted designs address the importance of affordability, sustainability, transferability and viability.
The key design concept is a series of roof terraces spiraling from the top down to a courtyard.
Arranged on a long, narrow, former-brownfield lot, Via Verde activates the challenging site with a development that wraps around the perimeter, creating and framing open space for the residents’ use. An integrated approach enabled the project to creatively address site constraints, navigate the public approvals process, and become a beacon for this developing community.
Three building types—20-story tower to the north, a 6- to 13-story mid-rise duplex apartment component in the middle, and 2- to 4-story townhouses to the south – make up the complex. The 222 apartments include 71 work force housing cooperatives for residents earning 80-100% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 151 low-income rentals for residents earning 60% or less of AMI. The project provides both affordable rental and ownership housing.
The innovative structure came equipped with windows, sunshades and balconies, all in one piece. Comprised of metal and cement board panels, with wood panel accents, the facades create a lively, distinct appearance. Via Verde is one of the first housing developments to use this type of panelized system at this scale. Increased quality control from the outset allowed the construction team to install the modules at a faster-than-normal rate, enclosing the building far sooner than typical construction methodologies.
The ground floor features a private medical facility and a pharmacy alongside live-work units, creating a lively street presence. A main entry portal leads to residential lobbies and townhouse entries. Stairwells with natural lighting and colorful finishes are prominently placed at each entry point with signs encouraging residents to save electricity and get exercise by forgoing use of the elevators.
Main street with seating area, playground and green spaces.
Diagram showing circulation from ground floor to the highest rooftop.
The rooftop gardens dissipate heat and absorb rainwater runoff, using a reclamation system that recycles water for irrigation, while providing opportunities for active gardening, fruit and vegetable cultivation, relaxation and social gathering. A landscaped courtyard, the green roofs, a fitness center, and day-lit stairs promote healthy lifestyles and provide opportunities for physical fitness.
The terraced roof gardens and various public spaces were designed, in part, in response to community feedback sessions advocating for communal activity spaces. Growing food on site also reinforces healthy living principles that are further encouraged through the availability of an attractive exercise room and a continuous walking path amongst many of the garden terraces. These multifunctional gardens create opportunities for gardening, recreation and social gathering, all with an increased connection to the outdoors.
Rainwater is collected from all the roofs and stored onsite for reuse.
The Dattner and Grimshaw team was appointed to the project in June 2007, with construction commencing in March 2010. Prior to the start of construction the site underwent extensive remediation due to a previous gas station on the corner of the development site, which, after the station’s closure, was used as an abandoned railroad yard that lay below street-level. The project’s structure topped out in January 2011 and the completed building was officially opened by then New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in June 2012.
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