EP Engineering provides MEP services for affordable housing development

Bronx, NY EP Engineering has served an integral role in the design and engineering of River Commons, a groundbreaking 17-story mixed-use development located at 1225 Gerard Ave. Developed by L+M Development Partners, Type A Projects and designed by Bernheimer Architecture, the 375,000 s/f project is redefining sustainable urban living by integrating affordable housing, healthcare, and advanced geothermal infrastructure.

River Commons brings over 300 units of affordable housing to the South Bronx, alongside a 40,000 s/f healthcare facility operated by NYC Health + Hospitals and additional commercial space. Designed with a commitment to energy efficiency, occupant wellness, and carbon reduction, the project exemplifies the future of resilient, community-centered development.

EP Engineering provided MEP design services for the project, including the implementation of an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system that serves both the residential and healthcare components. The system is supported by 30 vertical geothermal wells drilled directly beneath the building’s foundation—delivering reliable, low-carbon performance in a dense urban environment.

Inside the residential units, EP Engineering designed high-efficiency cold-climate packaged-terminal heat pumps (PTHPs), which meet Passive House energy standards while operating entirely on electricity. The firm also engineered acoustic performance solutions to meet stringent Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) requirements, addressing the elevated subway line adjacent to the site.

The engineering scope for River Commons includes a comprehensive geothermal HVAC and domestic hot water system that serves the entire development, including both residential and healthcare components. EP Engineering designed all-electric heating and cooling systems for the residential units that comply with Passive House standards, ensuring high energy efficiency and occupant comfort. To support the project’s low-carbon goals, the MEP systems were developed to minimize emissions while maintaining optimal performance. Additionally, the design includes acoustically optimized systems to address noise from the nearby elevated subway, and features the seamless integration of 30 geothermal wells drilled directly beneath the building’s footprint.