Design AIDD Architecture, DPC has received the Sustainable Building Project Award from the American Planning Association Sustainable Communities Division (APA) for the design of The Cornerview Apartments. The three-story 15-unit affordable housing rental at 812 East 231st St. is one of the first residential projects in the area to be built entirely with Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) system, a lean building process that is sustainable and energy efficient. The top national award recognizes projects, policies, plans and people who exhibit exemplary scholarship, leadership and inspiration in sustainability planning and implementation.
"This honor reaffirms our design principles and commitment to finding innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint," said president and co-principal Andrea Harris, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. "It's especially exciting to see how easily this new technology adapts to a variety of housing types from affordable housing to market-rate and luxury projects."
The architects' design led to the replacement of the building's traditional masonry brick concrete block construction process with ICF, which provided for a faster erection of walls, a tighter envelope and improved waterproofing. The cost savings enabled the developer to upgrade interior materials in each of the one- and two-bedroom apartments, by adding a variety of finishes such as maple hardwood floors, porcelain and glass-tiled kitchens and bathrooms and cherry wood kitchen cabinets, reminiscent of a high end development. Additional amenities include a parking garage, recreation spaces, common bicycle and laundry rooms and landscaped, furnished front and rear yards.
In addition, 812 East 231st Street exceeded the NYSERDA pilot Multifamily Performance Program requirements as well as the lender's Green Finance Loan Program for energy efficiency and is projected to save energy costs by more than 20% compared to traditional buildings.
"This project was especially gratifying because we were able to complete the project ahead of schedule and significantly under budget," says Vice President and Co-principal Ian Pinto, Associate AIA. "Our firm is committed to designing high performance buildings that meet the collective needs of property investors and the community-at-large."
The developer and owner of the building is Lemle & Wolff, Inc., the general contractor was Apartment Rehab Corp. and the structural engineer was Antonucci & Associates.
ABOUT DESIGN AIDD ARCHITECTURE, DPC
Established in 2007, Design AIDD Architecture, DPC is spearheaded by a team that includes three founding principals, comprising President Andrea Harris, AIA, LEED AP BD+C and Vice Presidents Ian Pinto, Associate AIA and David Kirschenbaum, Associate AIA. Design AIDD is a full-service architectural firm specializing in construction and rehabilitation of affordable, zoning and building code consultation, sustainable housing and mixed-use projects throughout New York and New Jersey. The principals' combined experience includes the design and construction of nearly 4,000 units of affordable, market-rate and high-end multi-family housing and the firm is considered a leader in sustainable design for affordable, adaptive re-use and rehabilitation projects. Tags: