SWBR honored by NYS Buildings of Excellence for two projects

Rochester, NY Two SWBR projects were recently selected as winners in Round Two of New York State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition for the design of a net-zero emitting multifamily building. This competition supports Governor Andrew Cuomo’s nation-leading climate goals outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which place New York State on a path to economy-wide carbon neutrality and mandates an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“Sustainable design is incredibly impactful for multi-family housing projects,” said SWBR principal Joe Gibbons, AIA. “Not only will these two projects have less of an environmental footprint, but they will cost little to heat or cool, saving residents money while providing them a beautiful and healthy home.”

Selected in the Early Design category, PathStone Corporation’s proposed Baird Road Apartments is a 76-unit apartment building for seniors in Perinton, NY that was awarded $1 million through the Buildings of Excellence competition. The project’s design achieves Net-Zero energy through Passive House design standards, and features health and wellness through Enterprise Green Communities 2020 and WELL Certification.

Rockabill’s Johnson Park Green Community Apartments, also selected in the Early Design category, is a three-building affordable and supportive housing complex in Utica, NY that was also awarded $1 million through the Buildings of Excellence competition. The project is designed to meet Passive House certification and will serve as a tool kit for future inner-city medium-density affordable housing developments.

SWBR is providing architectural design services for both projects.

NYSERDA president and CEO Doreen Harris said, “Congratulations to SWBR for their outstanding designs for both Baird Road Apartments and Johnson Park Green, which will provide superior indoor comfort through passive house design features while ensuring housing opportunities for vulnerable populations, an important piece of our transition to clean energy. As a Buildings of Excellence awardee, we appreciate their partnership in helping us to foster environmental and health benefits for New Yorkers by reducing the carbon footprint of newly constructed buildings in the state.”