@David Sundberg
In the South Bronx, New York (United States), Grimshaw architects delivered Via Verde in 2012, a program of 222 housing units (151 for rental, 71 for ownership via a cooperative) in a R+20 building: with duplex apartments and individual housing. Total surface area: 27,000 m². Budget: nc Ten years later? Communicated.
Grimshaw is bringing back the spotlight ten years later on Via Verde, its social housing construction program with a quality living environment, located since 2012 in the Bronx in New York. This project, presented during the city’s first architectural competition in 2006, for the design of an affordable housing building, was born thanks to the sustainable and innovative approach proposed by the agency.
« Via Verde demonstrates the possibility of innovation in social housing, particularly through the prefabrication process, which significantly reduces construction costs while optimizing quality. Setting new standards for sustainable affordable housing design is possible! », Says Alice Barrois, director of Grimshaw Paris.
@David Sundberg
@David Sundberg
Innovating for social housing
The complicated geometry of a narrow triangular plot combined with the rigidity of urban regulations had blocked the construction of social housing on this plot of land in the Bronx for years. Breaking with the solutions envisaged until then, using the most basic forms of prefabrication, the Via Verde project demonstrates the possibility of innovation within the financially restricted framework of social housing.
The modification of the prospects, authorized by the city as part of the environmental review of its land use plan, freed up the design possibilities for a mixed operation including different types of housing, for rental or social accession, and different types of programs.
A medical center is thus inserted into a complex whose tiered volume gradually increases from R+2 to R+19, starting with a small housing building and ending with a housing tower.
@David Sundberg
@David Sundberg
Improved quality of life
Between these two extremes, accessible roof terraces offer different types of shared spaces: vegetable gardens, amphitheater, orchid garden, health garden dedicated to sports, and on the last level an open-air dining room open to all residents .
These hanging gardens form a “greenway” (Via Verde) which contributes to water recovery, and is completed by a courtyard planted at ground level.
Each aspect of the operation aims to improve the quality of life of residents, with through apartments favoring natural ventilation rather than energy-intensive and electricity-costly air conditioning. Photovoltaic cells equip the sunshades. The use of prefabrication has made it possible to reduce construction costs, in structure or envelope.
The design of the facades thwarts monotony by inserting balconies and panels of different colors. Various types of accommodation are offered: duplexes, townhouses, or studios in the tower, the view compensating for the smaller surface area. Number of housing units: 222, including 151 rented and 71 owned via a cooperative.
@David Sundberg
@David Sundberg
2024-01-07 08:08:39
#Bronx #York #Verde #Grimshaw
