The New York City Economic Development Corporation has selected the team of Ennead + Dattner for the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) Kips Bay project.
SPARC Kips Bay will be a first-of-its-kind job and education center in the heart of New York City that in total will include up to two million square feet for educational programs, workforce development, and job opportunities in the life sciences, public health, and healthcare sectors. It will transform Hunter College’s Brookdale Campus into a state-of-the-art academic, healthcare, and life sciences hub that will provide myriad benefits to the city, including billions of dollars in economic impact, improvements to the public realm, and a pipeline from local public schools and city universities into these growing fields.
The team will design a new 700,000 GSF education building which will be shared by three integrated CUNY schools – Hunter College School of Nursing, CUNY Graduate School of Health & Health Policy, and Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) – and a new NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) health and science career-focused high school. The project also includes a large public open space, a new pedestrian bridge across the FDR to access the waterfront, and the continuation of floodproofing infrastructure along the East Side.
Ennead and Dattner Architects are thrilled to bring our years of experience working in NYC, our expertise in resiliency and sustainability, and our deep commitment to community and public space to help design this innovative new development to shape the city’s future. We look forward to sharing more updates soon.
Dattner Architects is a women-owned design firm. This is a milestone for our practice, which was founded 60 years ago. Our long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion has organically fostered women to thrive and achieve at the highest level of leadership. Today the firm is led by 10 partners, half of whom are women; and the women are the majority owners. We are a firm that continues to evolve and advance.
Our core mission is unwavering, and it unites our work and our practice. We proudly take on the planning and design of the region’s most essential projects, creating architecture that enriches the urban experience, transforms environments, and strengthens communities.
Today Dattner Architects is over 100 people, 59% of whom are women, 41% BIPOC, and 17% LGBTQ+ all working together from one office in New York City. A steadfast dedication to our mission, a strong and varied portfolio of that spans sectors, and a thoughtful leadership transition plan allows our 60-year-old practice to continue to remain vital and vibrant—reflecting the diversity and relevancy of our practice.
"Driven to work at the urban scale, I initially sought out Dattner Architects because the firm had designed many of the civic spaces that were formative in my life," notes Gia Maneiro, Principal and Corporate President. "This passion fueled my career here—from junior designer to Principal—supported by the confidence, camaraderie and mentorship that defines the culture of the office. Raising my daughter solidified my commitment to leadership in the future of sustainable public architecture, and I could not be more proud to share in a majority women owned partnership that embodies these values."
Dattner Architects is certified as a WBE with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
In recognition of outstanding accomplishments and architectural excellence, annually the American Institute of Architects (AIA) appoints distinguished members to join the College of Fellows. Only 3% of AIA members attained this distinction.
Dattner Architects is delighted to announce that Principal John Woelfling FAIA has been chosen to join this year's cohort of AIA Fellows! Out of 96 candidates who were elevated by AIA National, John is one of the 10 members from the AIA New York chapter. John was recognized for his remarkable contributions to the advancement of the architectural profession through his commitment to innovative sustainable design and his continued advocacy for affordable housing.
John’s leadership in large-scale affordable housing has become a national model for addressing the housing crisis through sustainable, community-responsive design. With a commitment to sustainable practices, he has overseen the development of over twenty 100% affordable buildings, comprising more than 3,300 apartments. Notably, he has pioneered the integration of Passive House principles into multi-family affordable housing design, resulting in four of the largest Passive House mixed-use buildings in the United States, totaling 961 affordable apartments, with hundreds more now in design. These projects exemplify his dedication to environmental justice, resident health, and affordability. Moreover, each of these buildings marked the respective clients' first Passive House project, showcasing John’s innovative approach to sustainable architecture.
“The honor of having arrived at the professional milestone of joining the College of Fellows has clarified for me that a significant part of attaining this honor has been the journey. The self-reflecting process of preparing my application to the AIA N required that I assess the arc of my career and my impact on the profession. Some of it rewarding, some of it less so, but always an investment in something that was more than just a “job”. The worsening climate crisis and our City’s, State’s and Country’s affordable housing crisis call for architects to be civically engaged to guide public policy as well as designing environmentally responsible buildings. My application for Fellowship intertwined three themes that embody the Dattner Architects ethos and summarize my work: Affordable Housing, Leadership through Advocacy, and Innovative Sustainable Design. Architecture is an incredibly rewarding profession that requires patience and collaboration. The body of work that led to my elevation to the AIA College of Fellows resulted from both my personal and my colleagues’ dedication to civic and essential architecture.” – John Woelfling, FAIA
John has presented his experience successfully applying passive house principles to mid- and high-rise multifamily developments to a variety of audiences across North America including different organizations, professionals, students, and communities. He has led discussions at different events including the AIA National Conference, USGBC’s Greenbuild Conference, and was the keynote speaker at the PHIUS National Conference in Chicago. He was also named as one of Crain’s Notable Leaders in Sustainability last year.
As a board member of the NYS Association for Affordable Housing and of his local community board in Brooklyn, NY, John advocates for community based affordable housing and sustainable design approaches. His “open source” approach to knowledge sharing serves as an inclusive approach to environmental design and sets a national model for integrating affordable housing with sustainable design.
Under John’s leadership, the firm’s affordable housing work integrates sustainable design standards to achieve buildings with superior indoor air quality and energy performance that address environmental inequities and result in positive impacts on communities.
Dattner Architects' Associate Heather McKinstry has been named one of Professional Women in Construction (PWC)'s 20 under 40. The recipients represent a diverse group of 20 individuals excelling in their respective careers.
"I’m honored to have been selected as one of PWC’s 20 under 40 Women in Construction. The tireless work of organization like PWC have changed the culture of the construction industry, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the work of building our cities."— Heather McKinstry
Heather believes that architecture's most important role is to create inclusive, healthy, and sustainable buildings for communities, while minimizing their impact on the natural environment. As a leader in the firm's Sustainable Practice Group, she chairs the committee on building energy usage. Heather was most recently the Project Manager for 425 Grand Concourse, the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified building in North America.
The 2022 20 Under 40 Class will be honored and celebrated at a ceremony during PWC's holiday party on December 8.
Dattner Architects' Associate Heather McKinstry has been named one of Professional Women in Construction (PWC)'s 20 under 40. The recipients represent a diverse group of 20 individuals excelling in their respective careers.
"I’m honored to have been selected as one of PWC’s 20 under 40 Women in Construction. The tireless work of organization like PWC have changed the culture of the construction industry, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the work of building our cities."— Heather McKinstry
Heather believes that architecture's most important role is to create inclusive, healthy, and sustainable buildings for communities, while minimizing their impact on the natural environment. As a leader in the firm's Sustainable Practice Group, she chairs the committee on building energy usage. Heather was most recently the Project Manager for 425 Grand Concourse, the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified building in North America.
The 2022 20 Under 40 Class will be honored and celebrated at a ceremony during PWC's holiday party on December 8.
Dattner Architects is proud to share that 425 Grand Concourse and Santaella Gardens were big winners at this year's PhiusCon in Chicago. 425 Grand Concourse took home the award for Best Overall Project as well as Best High-Rise Multifamily, while Santaella Gardens won the Best Project by a Young Professional.
425 Grand Concourse is the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified project in North America. The 26-story building implements high efficiency building systems with an air-tight building envelope, energy recovery ventilation, and sustainable features to significantly reduce heat loss and gain. The development will consume up to 70% less energy than a conventional housing project.
Santaella Garden's super-insulated, virtually air-tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high-performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high-performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
The 8th Annual Passive Projects Design Competition recognized fully certified passive building projects of all types and in all climate zones. Competition categories included: Best Overall Project; Best Single Family; Best High-Rise Multifamily; Best Low-Rise Multifamily; Best Commercial / Institutional; Best Retrofit; Best Source Zero; and Best Project by a Young Professional.
Dattner Architects is proud to share that 425 Grand Concourse and Santaella Gardens were big winners at this year's PhiusCon in Chicago. 425 Grand Concourse took home the award for Best Overall Project as well as Best High-Rise Multifamily, while Santaella Gardens won the Best Project by a Young Professional.
425 Grand Concourse is the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified project in North America. The 26-story building implements high efficiency building systems with an air-tight building envelope, energy recovery ventilation, and sustainable features to significantly reduce heat loss and gain. The development will consume up to 70% less energy than a conventional housing project.
Santaella Garden's super-insulated, virtually air-tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high-performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high-performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
The 8th Annual Passive Projects Design Competition recognized fully certified passive building projects of all types and in all climate zones. Competition categories included: Best Overall Project; Best Single Family; Best High-Rise Multifamily; Best Low-Rise Multifamily; Best Commercial / Institutional; Best Retrofit; Best Source Zero; and Best Project by a Young Professional.
Dattner Architects is proud to celebrate the grand opening of the Stanley Manne Research Institute! Located at the Bronx High School of Science, the Manne Institute is a new state-of-the-art research building named after, and generously funded by, Bronx Science alumnus Stanley Manne. The donation from Mr. Manne represents the largest individual gift to The Bronx High School of Science Alumni Foundation ever, and the largest gift to a New York City public school in history. This university-level facility will allow high school students from across the Bronx to conduct long-term experiments, preparing them for college or professional settings.
The building houses three multidisciplinary labs, a walk-in cold room, tissue culture room, microscopy room, sterilization room, animal room, and a multi-purpose room for special events. Like a professional lab, spaces are modular and flexible, as equipment and science requirements change over time. Each lab is served by a computational room for group meetings, lectures, and experiment data review.
“The Manne Institute is a transformative project for Bronx Science and our biggest undertaking ever as a Foundation. We needed an architecture firm who could go beyond design. We needed a firm with true expertise, tremendous respect in the industry and the capabilities to help advise through all steps of the project. As we did our research, it became apparent that Daniel Heuberger and his team at Dattner checked all of those boxes and more. We simply could have never done this project without Dattner Architects and their talents.” — Eleanor Coufus, VP - Alumni Foundation, Bronx High School of Science
Offering summer study programs and faculty mentorship opportunities, the Manne Institute will also enable promising students from Bronx Science and other area public high schools additional advanced research opportunities in Microbiology, Animal Behavior, and Genetics.
“This is more than a unique research facility, but a wonderful Bronx story as well. A graduate of the school, Stanley Manne, has given another generation of ambitious and bright students an opportunity to embark on a lifetime of scientific inquiry.” — Daniel Heuberger, Principal, Dattner Architects
Although its footprint is modest in size, this research center is a highly visible place-making addition to the school campus. Along with the much larger main building, it completes the outdoor courtyard where students gather between classes. The lab is visible from all sides, and subtle offsets in the massing and screening of the roof top mechanical plant give each façade a unique visual proportion and contextual relationship. The building is conceived as a precise, finely detailed scientific object.
The façade is composed of tightly spaced, fiber-reinforced concrete panels, punctuated by modular openings that respond to the compact and rational laboratory plans. The three-dimensional panels cast changing and dynamic shadows on the façade over the course of the day. Bright green brick accents representing the school color mark the entrances and line the main stair and lobby.
“The Stanley Manne Research Institute provides a unique opportunity for talented NYC public high school students to be trained in a university-level laboratory. Who knows what important breakthroughs in biology or medicine will be made by these future scientists?” — Brian Nesin, Senior Associate, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects is proud to celebrate the grand opening of the Stanley Manne Research Institute! Located at the Bronx High School of Science, the Manne Institute is a new state-of-the-art research building named after, and generously funded by, Bronx Science alumnus Stanley Manne. The donation from Mr. Manne represents the largest individual gift to The Bronx High School of Science Alumni Foundation ever, and the largest gift to a New York City public school in history. This university-level facility will allow high school students from across the Bronx to conduct long-term experiments, preparing them for college or professional settings.
The building houses three multidisciplinary labs, a walk-in cold room, tissue culture room, microscopy room, sterilization room, animal room, and a multi-purpose room for special events. Like a professional lab, spaces are modular and flexible, as equipment and science requirements change over time. Each lab is served by a computational room for group meetings, lectures, and experiment data review.
“The Manne Institute is a transformative project for Bronx Science and our biggest undertaking ever as a Foundation. We needed an architecture firm who could go beyond design. We needed a firm with true expertise, tremendous respect in the industry and the capabilities to help advise through all steps of the project. As we did our research, it became apparent that Daniel Heuberger and his team at Dattner checked all of those boxes and more. We simply could have never done this project without Dattner Architects and their talents.” — Eleanor Coufus, VP - Alumni Foundation, Bronx High School of Science
Offering summer study programs and faculty mentorship opportunities, the Manne Institute will also enable promising students from Bronx Science and other area public high schools additional advanced research opportunities in Microbiology, Animal Behavior, and Genetics.
“This is more than a unique research facility, but a wonderful Bronx story as well. A graduate of the school, Stanley Manne, has given another generation of ambitious and bright students an opportunity to embark on a lifetime of scientific inquiry.” — Daniel Heuberger, Principal, Dattner Architects
Although its footprint is modest in size, this research center is a highly visible place-making addition to the school campus. Along with the much larger main building, it completes the outdoor courtyard where students gather between classes. The lab is visible from all sides, and subtle offsets in the massing and screening of the roof top mechanical plant give each façade a unique visual proportion and contextual relationship. The building is conceived as a precise, finely detailed scientific object.
The façade is composed of tightly spaced, fiber-reinforced concrete panels, punctuated by modular openings that respond to the compact and rational laboratory plans. The three-dimensional panels cast changing and dynamic shadows on the façade over the course of the day. Bright green brick accents representing the school color mark the entrances and line the main stair and lobby.
“The Stanley Manne Research Institute provides a unique opportunity for talented NYC public high school students to be trained in a university-level laboratory. Who knows what important breakthroughs in biology or medicine will be made by these future scientists?” — Brian Nesin, Senior Associate, Dattner Architects
Chestnut Commons was recently featured in Bloomberg CityLab's Look at That Building — a weekly series about everyday and not-so-everyday architecture.
Located in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, this new mixed-use residential project is a model for healthy and sustainable urban living. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households and integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator offering job training, and a credit union.
Principal John Woelfling gave Bloomberg writer Lizzie Kane a tour of the Passive House project, discussing how the design team sought to challenge the traditional model for affordable housing in New York City.
Chestnut Commons was recently featured in Bloomberg CityLab's Look at That Building — a weekly series about everyday and not-so-everyday architecture.
Located in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, this new mixed-use residential project is a model for healthy and sustainable urban living. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households and integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator offering job training, and a credit union.
Principal John Woelfling gave Bloomberg writer Lizzie Kane a tour of the Passive House project, discussing how the design team sought to challenge the traditional model for affordable housing in New York City.
On November 10, Principal John Woelfling will be on the "Decarbonization of Affordable Housing" panel at the Javits Center for Propel by MIPIM NYC — a conference and expo event gathering game changers of the built environment for two days of innovation and opportunities in the real estate industry.
John will be joined by James Lloyd (Director of Policy, New York State Association for Affordable Housing), Tibita Kaneene (Vice President, Green Bank), and Laura Humphrey (Director of Sustainability, L+M Development Partners). Panelists will discuss governmental policy, financing green buildings, challenges and solutions in achieving state-of-the-art low carbon and carbon neutral affordable housing, and much more.
On November 10, Principal John Woelfling will be on the "Decarbonization of Affordable Housing" panel at the Javits Center for Propel by MIPIM NYC — a conference and expo event gathering game changers of the built environment for two days of innovation and opportunities in the real estate industry.
John will be joined by James Lloyd (Director of Policy, New York State Association for Affordable Housing), Tibita Kaneene (Vice President, Green Bank), and Laura Humphrey (Director of Sustainability, L+M Development Partners). Panelists will discuss governmental policy, financing green buildings, challenges and solutions in achieving state-of-the-art low carbon and carbon neutral affordable housing, and much more.
"This building has given me and my daughter Isabella a chance to have a fresh start." — Chasity, 425 Grand Concourse resident
On November 2, Dattner Architects joined Trinity Financial, MBD Community Housing Corporation, City and State officials, local community partners, and 425 Grand Concourse residents to celebrate the grand opening of the largest Passive House (PHIUS) project in North America. Located at one of the Bronx's great boulevards, 425 Grand Concourse provides the Mott Haven neighborhood with affordable housing, community support space, a medical facility, supermarket, and a new student services center for CUNY Hostos.
"Dattner Architects has had the privilege of working for the last seven years on what is an exceptional project in so many ways. The building provides luxury, affordable housing for 277 families in a high-quality, low carbon building that addresses the health inequities that too often occur in our cities. The building’s energy efficient Passive House design drives down the utility costs for the residents and reduces the building’s greenhouse gas emissions-well ahead of LL97’s requirements. The project is an example of smart redevelopment and investment in the Bronx and is replicable in any part of our City to simultaneously address both the affordable housing crisis and the climate crisis." — John Woelfling, Principal
This benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments' living rooms and bedrooms receive filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project's expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight while balancing the window-to-wall ratio that is critical in achieving Passive House performance levels.
"425 Grand Concourse is proof that an environmentally just world is possible. Visible from across the Bronx and beyond, it is a beacon, lighting the way for a brighter future of healthy buildings, cleaner air, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Like all of our affordable housing work, this building is transforming the lives of middle and low income New Yorkers, providing brightly daylit and energy efficient homes for them to call their own." — Heather McKinstry, Associate
"This building has given me and my daughter Isabella a chance to have a fresh start." — Chasity, 425 Grand Concourse resident
On November 2, Dattner Architects joined Trinity Financial, MBD Community Housing Corporation, City and State officials, local community partners, and 425 Grand Concourse residents to celebrate the grand opening of the largest Passive House (PHIUS) project in North America. Located at one of the Bronx's great boulevards, 425 Grand Concourse provides the Mott Haven neighborhood with affordable housing, community support space, a medical facility, supermarket, and a new student services center for CUNY Hostos.
"Dattner Architects has had the privilege of working for the last seven years on what is an exceptional project in so many ways. The building provides luxury, affordable housing for 277 families in a high-quality, low carbon building that addresses the health inequities that too often occur in our cities. The building’s energy efficient Passive House design drives down the utility costs for the residents and reduces the building’s greenhouse gas emissions-well ahead of LL97’s requirements. The project is an example of smart redevelopment and investment in the Bronx and is replicable in any part of our City to simultaneously address both the affordable housing crisis and the climate crisis." — John Woelfling, Principal
This benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments' living rooms and bedrooms receive filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project's expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight while balancing the window-to-wall ratio that is critical in achieving Passive House performance levels.
"425 Grand Concourse is proof that an environmentally just world is possible. Visible from across the Bronx and beyond, it is a beacon, lighting the way for a brighter future of healthy buildings, cleaner air, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Like all of our affordable housing work, this building is transforming the lives of middle and low income New Yorkers, providing brightly daylit and energy efficient homes for them to call their own." — Heather McKinstry, Associate
On November 10, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking at this year's Small Firm Symposium. Hosted by AIA New York State, AIA New Jersey, and AIA Pennsylvania, the symposium is a two-day virtual program packed with resources for small firms to learn how to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Titled, "Lessons Learned for Small Firms that Want to Become Bigger Firms," Daniel's session will cover Dattner Architects' journey from a small, sole practitioner office to a 125-person firm, and offer lessons learned for how to not only cope with change, but embrace it. Symposium attendees will also hear about the firm's transition planning, adaptation to new technology, diversification of our portfolio, and more.
On November 10, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking at this year's Small Firm Symposium. Hosted by AIA New York State, AIA New Jersey, and AIA Pennsylvania, the symposium is a two-day virtual program packed with resources for small firms to learn how to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Titled, "Lessons Learned for Small Firms that Want to Become Bigger Firms," Daniel's session will cover Dattner Architects' journey from a small, sole practitioner office to a 125-person firm, and offer lessons learned for how to not only cope with change, but embrace it. Symposium attendees will also hear about the firm's transition planning, adaptation to new technology, diversification of our portfolio, and more.
On November 16, Principal John Woelfling joins Passive House Accelerator (PHA) Live for "Affordable Multi-Family Passive House: A Denser Path to Clean" — an in-depth discussion on how the density associated with urban multi-family buildings can make achieving Passive House performance more attainable, even on an affordable housing budget. Specifically, John will discuss the design and construction of three Dattner-designed, mixed-use Passive House projects: Vital Brookdale, Santaella Gardens, and 425 Grand Concourse.
PHA Live is a virtual weekly series that explores how to slash greenhouse gas emissions and make buildings more resilient to climate change. The series brings together Passive House experts and those simply curious about Passive House to share lessons learned and best practices.
On November 16, Principal John Woelfling joins Passive House Accelerator (PHA) Live for "Affordable Multi-Family Passive House: A Denser Path to Clean" — an in-depth discussion on how the density associated with urban multi-family buildings can make achieving Passive House performance more attainable, even on an affordable housing budget. Specifically, John will discuss the design and construction of three Dattner-designed, mixed-use Passive House projects: Vital Brookdale, Santaella Gardens, and 425 Grand Concourse.
PHA Live is a virtual weekly series that explores how to slash greenhouse gas emissions and make buildings more resilient to climate change. The series brings together Passive House experts and those simply curious about Passive House to share lessons learned and best practices.
On October 25, Dattner Architects joined the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH), City officials, and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for WSFSSH at West 108.
This new, mixed-use residential development provides an integrated approach to urban housing, offering 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
Charming cut metal tree guards, window guards, fences, and gates are seen throughout the development and were created by artist Béatrice Coron. The theme, ROOTS AND SEASONS, is about the way human beings and trees adapt to the change of seasons. The artwork depicts the "balance between strength and flexibility like trees that sink their roots into the earth so they can bend in the wind without breaking."
"Dattner Architects congratulates the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing and the entire project team on the completion of WSFSSH at West 108. This transformative project provides urgently needed affordable and supportive housing, transitional housing for homeless seniors and a primary care clinic. WSFSSH at West 108 is a model for mixed-use, community oriented housing that enhances its neighborhood. We are honored to be the architects for this outstanding project." — William Stein FAIA, Principal
The project also provides spaces that are accessible to the community. The community room is available for scheduled use by community residents, and the dining room serves as a multipurpose space for movie nights, concerts, and other neighborhood events. Other community features include a primary care clinic serving the public, storage space for Central Park Medical Unit ambulances, and a comfort station for the adjacent Anibal Aviles playground. This mix of uses integrates the building with the neighborhood and enhances the quality of life in the community. The project’s sustainable features—including solar panels, energy efficient envelope and systems, and use of healthy materials—contribute to its positive neighborhood impact.
"It was an exciting day seeing all of our collective hard work come to fruition—Dattner Architects is honored to be part of the team. WSFSSH at West 108 is already a cornerstone of the community, bringing much needed affordable and transitional housing to the neighborhood, without looking like typical affordable housing. The interior and exterior of the building came out fantastic, and it is plain to see that residents are proud to call the building home." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
On October 25, Dattner Architects joined the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH), City officials, and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for WSFSSH at West 108.
This new, mixed-use residential development provides an integrated approach to urban housing, offering 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
Charming cut metal tree guards, window guards, fences, and gates are seen throughout the development and were created by artist Béatrice Coron. The theme, ROOTS AND SEASONS, is about the way human beings and trees adapt to the change of seasons. The artwork depicts the "balance between strength and flexibility like trees that sink their roots into the earth so they can bend in the wind without breaking."
"Dattner Architects congratulates the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing and the entire project team on the completion of WSFSSH at West 108. This transformative project provides urgently needed affordable and supportive housing, transitional housing for homeless seniors and a primary care clinic. WSFSSH at West 108 is a model for mixed-use, community oriented housing that enhances its neighborhood. We are honored to be the architects for this outstanding project." — William Stein FAIA, Principal
The project also provides spaces that are accessible to the community. The community room is available for scheduled use by community residents, and the dining room serves as a multipurpose space for movie nights, concerts, and other neighborhood events. Other community features include a primary care clinic serving the public, storage space for Central Park Medical Unit ambulances, and a comfort station for the adjacent Anibal Aviles playground. This mix of uses integrates the building with the neighborhood and enhances the quality of life in the community. The project’s sustainable features—including solar panels, energy efficient envelope and systems, and use of healthy materials—contribute to its positive neighborhood impact.
"It was an exciting day seeing all of our collective hard work come to fruition—Dattner Architects is honored to be part of the team. WSFSSH at West 108 is already a cornerstone of the community, bringing much needed affordable and transitional housing to the neighborhood, without looking like typical affordable housing. The interior and exterior of the building came out fantastic, and it is plain to see that residents are proud to call the building home." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
Open House New York (OHNY) promotes broad, unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future. Every October, OHNY Weekend takes center stage. This annual festival opens the doors to hundreds of significant places across NYC to deepen the public's understanding of how design can strengthen communities. This year, OHNY Weekend turned 20, and Dattner Architects was proud to participate in this milestone celebration with tours at Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, Spring Street Salt Shed, Chestnut Commons, and Riverbank State Park.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed
On October 22, Principals Paul Bauer and Gia Mainiero led tours at M125 Garage and Salt Shed alongside members of NYC's Department of Sanitation. A staple site during each OHNY Weekend, these critical civic architecture buildings remain popular with OHNY visitors. The in-person tours included discussions about the design and construction of both buildings, the difficulties of safely storing 5,000 pounds of corrosive material, and addressing the community's previous concerns about safety and aesthetics.
"Like many of the OHNY attendees, this was also my first chance to get a glimpse into the celebrated work that allows our city to support its essential functions. Hearing firsthand from the users of the space and seeing our design in action was an opportunity that underscored the importance of the work we do every day and how it contributes to a better NYC." — Gabriella Orsi, Dattner Architects' Designer and first time OHNY Weekend volunteer
Chestnut Commons
Chestnut Commons recently opened their doors to the community this year, and we were happy to provide behind-the-scenes access to OHNY visitors. One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons is a new Passive House, mixed-use development providing affordable housing, a community center, and retail space. Principal John Woelfling and Senior Associates Keith Engel and David Levine led visitors through the residential lobby and up to the roof, stopping at the second floor roof terrace and some apartments along the way. The group also went to the community center, learning about the rich array of programming the center offers including a satellite campus for CUNY Kingsborough Community College, a construction-oriented job training center, gym, café, and a food manufacturing incubator that also provides culinary training. Visitors on the tours also heard from two of our clients, MHANY Management and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation.
Riverbank State Park
For the second year in a row, our founder Richard Dattner led OHNY visitors through Riverbank State Park—NYC's first public green roof, and one of the largest still today. Richard was joined on the tours by Leslie Wright, NYC Regional Director for New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Together, Richard and Leslie discussed Riverbank's inception, design, and construction as well as the critical importance of creating public open space accessible to all.
"It was a remarkable opportunity to tour the park with Richard, hear his stories dating back to the very early days of the park as a community ideal, and together witnessing how the extraordinary park has aged and accommodated a glorious variety of community programs and recreation opportunities for all these past nearly 30 years. Looking at the park's past, present, and future is a testament to Riverbank's original design success." — Leslie Wright, New York State Office of Parks' NYC Regional Director
Open House New York (OHNY) promotes broad, unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future. Every October, OHNY Weekend takes center stage. This annual festival opens the doors to hundreds of significant places across NYC to deepen the public's understanding of how design can strengthen communities. This year, OHNY Weekend turned 20, and Dattner Architects was proud to participate in this milestone celebration with tours at Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, Spring Street Salt Shed, Chestnut Commons, and Riverbank State Park.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed
On October 22, Principals Paul Bauer and Gia Mainiero led tours at M125 Garage and Salt Shed alongside members of NYC's Department of Sanitation. A staple site during each OHNY Weekend, these critical civic architecture buildings remain popular with OHNY visitors. The in-person tours included discussions about the design and construction of both buildings, the difficulties of safely storing 5,000 pounds of corrosive material, and addressing the community's previous concerns about safety and aesthetics.
"Like many of the OHNY attendees, this was also my first chance to get a glimpse into the celebrated work that allows our city to support its essential functions. Hearing firsthand from the users of the space and seeing our design in action was an opportunity that underscored the importance of the work we do every day and how it contributes to a better NYC." — Gabriella Orsi, Dattner Architects' Designer and first time OHNY Weekend volunteer
Chestnut Commons
Chestnut Commons recently opened their doors to the community this year, and we were happy to provide behind-the-scenes access to OHNY visitors. One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons is a new Passive House, mixed-use development providing affordable housing, a community center, and retail space. Principal John Woelfling and Senior Associates Keith Engel and David Levine led visitors through the residential lobby and up to the roof, stopping at the second floor roof terrace and some apartments along the way. The group also went to the community center, learning about the rich array of programming the center offers including a satellite campus for CUNY Kingsborough Community College, a construction-oriented job training center, gym, café, and a food manufacturing incubator that also provides culinary training. Visitors on the tours also heard from two of our clients, MHANY Management and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation.
Riverbank State Park
For the second year in a row, our founder Richard Dattner led OHNY visitors through Riverbank State Park—NYC's first public green roof, and one of the largest still today. Richard was joined on the tours by Leslie Wright, NYC Regional Director for New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Together, Richard and Leslie discussed Riverbank's inception, design, and construction as well as the critical importance of creating public open space accessible to all.
"It was a remarkable opportunity to tour the park with Richard, hear his stories dating back to the very early days of the park as a community ideal, and together witnessing how the extraordinary park has aged and accommodated a glorious variety of community programs and recreation opportunities for all these past nearly 30 years. Looking at the park's past, present, and future is a testament to Riverbank's original design success." — Leslie Wright, New York State Office of Parks' NYC Regional Director
World-Architects editor John Hill recently visited Dattner Architects, touring the new office and speaking with Principal Daniel Heuberger about a few projects currently in design and construction.
Occupied in the spring of 2022, our new office space reflects our adaptation to hybrid work schedules, and was conceived as a platform for the next decade of our evolution as a firm. Daniel spoke with John about the adaptability of the office layout saying: "We wanted to be very flexible, very open. In the old office, we had pods that were associated with studios. And because we work on a really wide variety of different typologies, there's danger of becoming a little bit siloed."
In the new office, we opted for a furniture-based solution instead of fixed bays or partitions. Instead, each person has a sit/stand desk to maximize comfort, a lockable pedestal, cubby for private belongings, and mobile laptops. The space is organized around project teams with the studios mixed together to better share experiences across sectors.
During the office tour, John and Daniel discussed two in-progress projects: Alafia and Shefa School.
A new wellness-oriented resilient development, Alafia is part of New York State's Vital Brooklyn initiative. The master plan outlines the phased redevelopment of a 25+ acre decommissioned site. Once completed, Alafia will bring over 2,400 units of affordable housing to the neighborhood, including apartments for the formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. The first buildings of the master plan are currently under construction.
Located in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Shefa School is an adaptive reuse of a 1920s office building into a new home for this expanding Jewish day-school. The program is organized vertically on 12 floors. Administration and public assembly spaces occupy the lowest levels. The primary school is separated by two art and science floors from the middle schoolers at the upper floors. A double height gym, office floor for teacher training, and an outdoor rooftop play yard occupy an addition at the top of the building.
World-Architects editor John Hill recently visited Dattner Architects, touring the new office and speaking with Principal Daniel Heuberger about a few projects currently in design and construction.
Occupied in the spring of 2022, our new office space reflects our adaptation to hybrid work schedules, and was conceived as a platform for the next decade of our evolution as a firm. Daniel spoke with John about the adaptability of the office layout saying: "We wanted to be very flexible, very open. In the old office, we had pods that were associated with studios. And because we work on a really wide variety of different typologies, there's danger of becoming a little bit siloed."
In the new office, we opted for a furniture-based solution instead of fixed bays or partitions. Instead, each person has a sit/stand desk to maximize comfort, a lockable pedestal, cubby for private belongings, and mobile laptops. The space is organized around project teams with the studios mixed together to better share experiences across sectors.
During the office tour, John and Daniel discussed two in-progress projects: Alafia and Shefa School.
A new wellness-oriented resilient development, Alafia is part of New York State's Vital Brooklyn initiative. The master plan outlines the phased redevelopment of a 25+ acre decommissioned site. Once completed, Alafia will bring over 2,400 units of affordable housing to the neighborhood, including apartments for the formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. The first buildings of the master plan are currently under construction.
Located in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Shefa School is an adaptive reuse of a 1920s office building into a new home for this expanding Jewish day-school. The program is organized vertically on 12 floors. Administration and public assembly spaces occupy the lowest levels. The primary school is separated by two art and science floors from the middle schoolers at the upper floors. A double height gym, office floor for teacher training, and an outdoor rooftop play yard occupy an addition at the top of the building.
On October 4, Dattner Architects joined MHANY Management (MHANY), Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC), Urban Builders Collaborative, New York City Department of Housing Preservation (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Department of City Planning (DCP) for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chestnut Commons.
Credit: Summer Shower Productions
One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons provides 275 permanently affordable apartments, 55 of which are set aside for formerly homeless households. On the ground floor, a new Cypress Hills East New York Community Center offers rich, multi-layered programming by Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, CUNY Kingsborough Community College, and more.
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is designed to Passive House standards. The development integrates many healthy living, resiliency, and sustainability features, including rooftop solar panels, rooftop farming for residents, and other recreational spaces. Passive solar shading is provided by deeply recessed windows and projected solar shades at the eastern and southern facades.
“There are times where a project’s very name speaks volumes in underscoring the aspirations that were poured into it. Chestnut Commons is such an example, as 'Commons' is defined as ‘land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community’. Therein lies the project's motivation - to provide resources in service of, and responsive to, the needs of the community. Resources for gathering, for education, for housing, and for opportunity. The affects that this development will have on the community are wide-ranging and necessary: increasing the level of deeply affordable housing for underserved populations, and decreasing a reliance on fossil fuels with deeply sustainable and resilient strategies.”—Keith Engel AIA, Senior Associate
On October 4, Dattner Architects joined MHANY Management (MHANY), Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC), Urban Builders Collaborative, New York City Department of Housing Preservation (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Department of City Planning (DCP) for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chestnut Commons.
Credit: Summer Shower Productions
One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons provides 275 permanently affordable apartments, 55 of which are set aside for formerly homeless households. On the ground floor, a new Cypress Hills East New York Community Center offers rich, multi-layered programming by Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, CUNY Kingsborough Community College, and more.
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is designed to Passive House standards. The development integrates many healthy living, resiliency, and sustainability features, including rooftop solar panels, rooftop farming for residents, and other recreational spaces. Passive solar shading is provided by deeply recessed windows and projected solar shades at the eastern and southern facades.
“There are times where a project’s very name speaks volumes in underscoring the aspirations that were poured into it. Chestnut Commons is such an example, as 'Commons' is defined as ‘land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community’. Therein lies the project's motivation - to provide resources in service of, and responsive to, the needs of the community. Resources for gathering, for education, for housing, and for opportunity. The affects that this development will have on the community are wide-ranging and necessary: increasing the level of deeply affordable housing for underserved populations, and decreasing a reliance on fossil fuels with deeply sustainable and resilient strategies.”—Keith Engel AIA, Senior Associate
Today, October 10, marks World Homeless Day. World Homeless Day has been observed internationally—across several different countries—since its inception in 2010. The purpose is to draw attention to the needs of the people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage afforded by an 'international day' to advocate for an end to homelessness through improved policy and funding.
There is a local and national homelessness crisis that continues to grow. At Dattner Architects, we have sought out ways to contribute as design professionals in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis. As individuals and through our work as a firm, we have increased our active participation on Community Boards, zoning, code committees, and architectural review boards; we have undertaken, on behalf of our clients, more and more large-scale rezoning efforts to add more affordable housing; and we have deepened our formal commitment to consider how our projects engage both the population served, and the community in which they are sited.
Healthy, sustainable, and affordable housing is a critical focus for our firm. Dattner Architects believes that the solution to the housing affordability crisis is through providing varied layers of housing and programming developed to help the most vulnerable members of society. We are proud to be designing such projects: shelter housing, transitional housing, supportive housing, and permanent affordable housing.
We believe that housing in service to vulnerable populations goes beyond mere provision for shelter. We support our clients by integrating supportive program components into our transitional, supportive, shelter, and affordable housing projects:
At Allie's Place Family Residence, a 99-unit transitional housing project for formerly homeless families, we collaborated with our client to integrate a culinary vocational program into the heart of the facility; not only providing residents with job training skills, but the self-confidence to support their exit from the cycle of homelessness.
At our purpose-built shelter projects, we worked with our clients to incorporate public-facing medical clinics in service to both the shelter residents and the community-at-large.
At our recently completed Chestnut Commons mixed-use Passive House project, we are proud that 55 of our 275 permanently affordable housing units have been set aside for formerly homeless households. And within the Community Center at the base of the project, in addition to other program in support of the local community, a homeless services provider will provide support for these households.
At our Nevins Street Apartments project, this reinvigorated building features 129 permanently affordable units, with 78 units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care. On-site supportive services are included in the project providing case management and mental health services, designed to address the holistic health of residents.
Our Cooper Gardens affordable and supportive housing project features 181 permanently affordable apartments, with 95 supportive units set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The base of the building features a local pharmacy, an Ambulatory Care Center and a Mind-Body Center that is equipped with indoor and outdoor fitness areas and a teaching kitchen.
And at our WSFSSH at West 108 shelter and supportive housing project, 119 permanently supportive housing units, 80 affordable family units, and a 110-bed transitional shelter address the varied facets of the housing affordability issue. On-site supportive services are provided that include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
At Dattner Architects, we strive to find ways for our projects to function as community resource centers, integrating themselves into the existing community. We believe that housing design for a just and equitable city incorporates projects that are well-designed, sustainable, resilient, and supportive of the communities and populations they serve.
In recognizing that the ability to intervene within the homelessness crisis is only possible through many scales of sustained, collective, and incremental efforts, we encourage all to become engaged at the local level in this critical, humanitarian issue. Between a call to attention, action, and continued advocacy across a range of capacities, we can hope to make a difference. A few suggestions where such efforts can be directly engaged:
Community Boards are presently formulating their FY 2024 Budget Priorities. Sign up to attend your October Community Board meeting to advocate that affordable and supportive housing be included in your community's Capital Budget priorities, and that funding for homeless and supportive housing services be included as Expense Budget priorities.
Contact your elected representatives and request their advocacy on behalf of these issues within your community.
Support your local homeless services street outreach provider through volunteering and/or donating.
Utilize your voice on social media platforms to advocate on behalf of, and educate peers to, local homelessness issues.
Today, October 10, marks World Homeless Day. World Homeless Day has been observed internationally—across several different countries—since its inception in 2010. The purpose is to draw attention to the needs of the people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage afforded by an 'international day' to advocate for an end to homelessness through improved policy and funding.
There is a local and national homelessness crisis that continues to grow. At Dattner Architects, we have sought out ways to contribute as design professionals in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis. As individuals and through our work as a firm, we have increased our active participation on Community Boards, zoning, code committees, and architectural review boards; we have undertaken, on behalf of our clients, more and more large-scale rezoning efforts to add more affordable housing; and we have deepened our formal commitment to consider how our projects engage both the population served, and the community in which they are sited.
Healthy, sustainable, and affordable housing is a critical focus for our firm. Dattner Architects believes that the solution to the housing affordability crisis is through providing varied layers of housing and programming developed to help the most vulnerable members of society. We are proud to be designing such projects: shelter housing, transitional housing, supportive housing, and permanent affordable housing.
We believe that housing in service to vulnerable populations goes beyond mere provision for shelter. We support our clients by integrating supportive program components into our transitional, supportive, shelter, and affordable housing projects:
At Allie's Place Family Residence, a 99-unit transitional housing project for formerly homeless families, we collaborated with our client to integrate a culinary vocational program into the heart of the facility; not only providing residents with job training skills, but the self-confidence to support their exit from the cycle of homelessness.
At our purpose-built shelter projects, we worked with our clients to incorporate public-facing medical clinics in service to both the shelter residents and the community-at-large.
At our recently completed Chestnut Commons mixed-use Passive House project, we are proud that 55 of our 275 permanently affordable housing units have been set aside for formerly homeless households. And within the Community Center at the base of the project, in addition to other program in support of the local community, a homeless services provider will provide support for these households.
At our Nevins Street Apartments project, this reinvigorated building features 129 permanently affordable units, with 78 units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care. On-site supportive services are included in the project providing case management and mental health services, designed to address the holistic health of residents.
Our Cooper Gardens affordable and supportive housing project features 181 permanently affordable apartments, with 95 supportive units set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The base of the building features a local pharmacy, an Ambulatory Care Center and a Mind-Body Center that is equipped with indoor and outdoor fitness areas and a teaching kitchen.
And at our WSFSSH at West 108 shelter and supportive housing project, 119 permanently supportive housing units, 80 affordable family units, and a 110-bed transitional shelter address the varied facets of the housing affordability issue. On-site supportive services are provided that include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
At Dattner Architects, we strive to find ways for our projects to function as community resource centers, integrating themselves into the existing community. We believe that housing design for a just and equitable city incorporates projects that are well-designed, sustainable, resilient, and supportive of the communities and populations they serve.
In recognizing that the ability to intervene within the homelessness crisis is only possible through many scales of sustained, collective, and incremental efforts, we encourage all to become engaged at the local level in this critical, humanitarian issue. Between a call to attention, action, and continued advocacy across a range of capacities, we can hope to make a difference. A few suggestions where such efforts can be directly engaged:
Community Boards are presently formulating their FY 2024 Budget Priorities. Sign up to attend your October Community Board meeting to advocate that affordable and supportive housing be included in your community's Capital Budget priorities, and that funding for homeless and supportive housing services be included as Expense Budget priorities.
Contact your elected representatives and request their advocacy on behalf of these issues within your community.
Support your local homeless services street outreach provider through volunteering and/or donating.
Utilize your voice on social media platforms to advocate on behalf of, and educate peers to, local homelessness issues.
On November 3, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking about Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society at this year's Greenbuild Conference in San Francisco, California.
Faced with affordable housing shortages and a rapid need for decarbonization, new residential developments need to address both social and environmental issues. This Greenbuild session addresses technologies and design strategies utilized in Alafia that can be replicated in future projects to achieve affordable and sustainable communities.
Greenbuild Conference
Panel: Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society
Date: November 3, 2022
Time: 2:45 - 3:45pm (PST)
Daniel will be joined on this panel by Jessica Yoon (L+M Development Partners) and Christopher Kolb (Cosentini Associates) with Lois Arena (Steven Winter Associates) as moderator.
The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is presented in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council—a mission-focused organization committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The Greenbuild Conference is designed to keep participants at the forefront of the industry covering sustainability, resilience, health, and wellness.
On November 3, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking about Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society at this year's Greenbuild Conference in San Francisco, California.
Faced with affordable housing shortages and a rapid need for decarbonization, new residential developments need to address both social and environmental issues. This Greenbuild session addresses technologies and design strategies utilized in Alafia that can be replicated in future projects to achieve affordable and sustainable communities.
Greenbuild Conference
Panel: Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society
Date: November 3, 2022
Time: 2:45 - 3:45pm (PST)
Daniel will be joined on this panel by Jessica Yoon (L+M Development Partners) and Christopher Kolb (Cosentini Associates) with Lois Arena (Steven Winter Associates) as moderator.
The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is presented in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council—a mission-focused organization committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The Greenbuild Conference is designed to keep participants at the forefront of the industry covering sustainability, resilience, health, and wellness.
With the start of October comes the return of Open House New York (OHNY)'s citywide public celebration of architecture! Launched in 2003, OHNY Weekend is an annual festival that opens hundreds of noteworthy and significant places across New York City's five boroughs to foster discovery and delight for all New Yorkers and deepen the public’s understanding of how design can strengthen communities and improve quality of life. And this year, OHNY is celebrating a milestone year—20 years of access, exploration, and discovery!
A long-time supporter of OHNY, Dattner Architects is proud to participate again with in-person tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed on Sunday, October 22.
Riverbank State Park
A first-of-its-kind recreation facility, Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof and continues to be one of New York State's busiest parks. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
Chestnut Commons
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is a Passive House-designed, mixed-use residential development in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households, and it integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator that offers job training, and much more as part of the rich, multi-layered community center programming.
Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed
The Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation, while the 70’ tall Spring Street Salt Shed is home to 5,000 tons of road salt. Although municipal infrastructure projects are often targeted as undesirable uses, the community has embraced these projects and applauded the use of design to successfully integrate critical services into the neighborhood. This pair of public buildings serves close to 300,000 residents.
All tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, and Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed will require advanced reservations. Reservation Day is October 13.
With the start of October comes the return of Open House New York (OHNY)'s citywide public celebration of architecture! Launched in 2003, OHNY Weekend is an annual festival that opens hundreds of noteworthy and significant places across New York City's five boroughs to foster discovery and delight for all New Yorkers and deepen the public’s understanding of how design can strengthen communities and improve quality of life. And this year, OHNY is celebrating a milestone year—20 years of access, exploration, and discovery!
A long-time supporter of OHNY, Dattner Architects is proud to participate again with in-person tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed on Sunday, October 22.
Riverbank State Park
A first-of-its-kind recreation facility, Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof and continues to be one of New York State's busiest parks. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
Chestnut Commons
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is a Passive House-designed, mixed-use residential development in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households, and it integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator that offers job training, and much more as part of the rich, multi-layered community center programming.
Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed
The Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation, while the 70’ tall Spring Street Salt Shed is home to 5,000 tons of road salt. Although municipal infrastructure projects are often targeted as undesirable uses, the community has embraced these projects and applauded the use of design to successfully integrate critical services into the neighborhood. This pair of public buildings serves close to 300,000 residents.
All tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, and Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed will require advanced reservations. Reservation Day is October 13.
On October 27, Principal John Woelfling will be one of this year's keynote speakers at PhiusCon 2022. Joining him is Trinity Financial VP of Design & Construction, Christoph Stump. John and Christoph will use 425 Grand Concourse and other Passive House projects to discuss Passive House certification and what it means for the future of multifamily housing developments.
The core principles of Passive House design establish a framework for healthy, energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings—buildings that are consistently comfortable in all seasons.
⠀
Integrated during design and implemented in the construction of 425 Grand Concourse, these principles allow the building to be one of the largest Passive House developments in North America: minimized thermal bridging, energy recovery ventilation systems, an airtight building envelope, and high-performance glazing and thermal insulation.
⠀
Paired with an informed approach to building orientation/form and solar shading, this benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments’ living rooms and bedrooms directly receives filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project’s expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight into the apartments while balancing the window to wall ratio that is critical to achieving Passive House performance levels.
While design and construction will be at the heart of this PhiusCon conversation, John and Christoph will also take a wider view, examining business solutions and opportunities for these types of projects throughout the country.
Formerly North American Passive House Conference, PhiusCon is the leading passive building conference for climate-specific zero energy design, construction, and building science expertise. Now in its 16th year, the conference is slated for October 25-28 at the historic Palmer House in Chicago.
On October 27, Principal John Woelfling will be one of this year's keynote speakers at PhiusCon 2022. Joining him is Trinity Financial VP of Design & Construction, Christoph Stump. John and Christoph will use 425 Grand Concourse and other Passive House projects to discuss Passive House certification and what it means for the future of multifamily housing developments.
The core principles of Passive House design establish a framework for healthy, energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings—buildings that are consistently comfortable in all seasons.
⠀
Integrated during design and implemented in the construction of 425 Grand Concourse, these principles allow the building to be one of the largest Passive House developments in North America: minimized thermal bridging, energy recovery ventilation systems, an airtight building envelope, and high-performance glazing and thermal insulation.
⠀
Paired with an informed approach to building orientation/form and solar shading, this benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments’ living rooms and bedrooms directly receives filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project’s expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight into the apartments while balancing the window to wall ratio that is critical to achieving Passive House performance levels.
While design and construction will be at the heart of this PhiusCon conversation, John and Christoph will also take a wider view, examining business solutions and opportunities for these types of projects throughout the country.
Formerly North American Passive House Conference, PhiusCon is the leading passive building conference for climate-specific zero energy design, construction, and building science expertise. Now in its 16th year, the conference is slated for October 25-28 at the historic Palmer House in Chicago.
Dattner Architects is pleased to share that Dana Moore AIA has been accepted into this year's Class of Forefront Fellows. The Urban Design Forum (UDF)'s Forefront Fellowship is an interdisciplinary cohort of designers, policymakers, artists, and activists working to reimagine how the city shapes life for its growing population. The 2022 cohort of Forefront Fellows is addressing waste management in the city and rewriting how New York City can pick up after itself in more sustainable, equitable, and efficient ways.
"I believe waste management is the most critical piece of the urban puzzle, and I think every New Yorker deserves infrastructure that meets their needs with grace. Meeting the waste haulers, building supers, and even volunteers who make this essential service possible is an amazing experience that I will take with me in my design career. Our cohort is already forming fast ties, and I look forward to the solutions we will envision as a team. More than ever, I am reminded that essential services are made up of essential persons—this fellowship is a singular opportunity for me to learn from and design for those voices."—Dana Moore AIA
Dattner Architects is pleased to share that Dana Moore AIA has been accepted into this year's Class of Forefront Fellows. The Urban Design Forum (UDF)'s Forefront Fellowship is an interdisciplinary cohort of designers, policymakers, artists, and activists working to reimagine how the city shapes life for its growing population. The 2022 cohort of Forefront Fellows is addressing waste management in the city and rewriting how New York City can pick up after itself in more sustainable, equitable, and efficient ways.
"I believe waste management is the most critical piece of the urban puzzle, and I think every New Yorker deserves infrastructure that meets their needs with grace. Meeting the waste haulers, building supers, and even volunteers who make this essential service possible is an amazing experience that I will take with me in my design career. Our cohort is already forming fast ties, and I look forward to the solutions we will envision as a team. More than ever, I am reminded that essential services are made up of essential persons—this fellowship is a singular opportunity for me to learn from and design for those voices."—Dana Moore AIA
Riverbank State Park will be a featured tour as part of Archtober's Building of the Day series. A month-long celebration of architecture and design in New York City, Archtober is an annual festival of architecture activities, programs, and exhibitions taking place throughout the month of October. Building of the Day tours are the centerpiece of Archtober with the goal of making exemplary architecture more accessible to the general public.
Archtober Building of the Day: Riverbank State Park
Date / Time: October 8, 2022 at 3:00pm
Location: 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031
Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof, and one of New York State's busiest parks. A first-of-its-kind recreation facility with numerous year-round recreational amenities, the park has become a true community asset. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
The tour will be led by Dattner Architects’ founder Richard Dattner and will include the fascinating history of Riverbank’s inception, design, and construction—and a discussion of the importance of creating accessible public open space for each New Yorker.
Riverbank State Park will be a featured tour as part of Archtober's Building of the Day series. A month-long celebration of architecture and design in New York City, Archtober is an annual festival of architecture activities, programs, and exhibitions taking place throughout the month of October. Building of the Day tours are the centerpiece of Archtober with the goal of making exemplary architecture more accessible to the general public.
Archtober Building of the Day: Riverbank State Park
Date / Time: October 8, 2022 at 3:00pm
Location: 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031
Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof, and one of New York State's busiest parks. A first-of-its-kind recreation facility with numerous year-round recreational amenities, the park has become a true community asset. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
The tour will be led by Dattner Architects’ founder Richard Dattner and will include the fascinating history of Riverbank’s inception, design, and construction—and a discussion of the importance of creating accessible public open space for each New Yorker.
Dattner Architects is excited to share that Scarsdale Public Library has won a national design award in the Renovation, Restoration, and Adaptive Re-use Category from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA).
This renovation and addition modernizes the existing 1951 facility by integrating state-of-the-art technology throughout, expanding public gathering spaces for community programming, and reorganizing circulation to improve the patron experience. While the flexible spaces, refreshed and re-envisioned interiors, and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new café, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit. New programming opportunities, such as after-hours scheduling for the Technology Center and increased access of the expanded children’s area, solidify the library as a communal hub.
Celebrating design excellence in architecture, this year's winners will be honored at the SARA National Design Awards Gala on October 21 in San Diego, California.
Dattner Architects is excited to share that Scarsdale Public Library has won a national design award in the Renovation, Restoration, and Adaptive Re-use Category from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA).
This renovation and addition modernizes the existing 1951 facility by integrating state-of-the-art technology throughout, expanding public gathering spaces for community programming, and reorganizing circulation to improve the patron experience. While the flexible spaces, refreshed and re-envisioned interiors, and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new café, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit. New programming opportunities, such as after-hours scheduling for the Technology Center and increased access of the expanded children’s area, solidify the library as a communal hub.
Celebrating design excellence in architecture, this year's winners will be honored at the SARA National Design Awards Gala on October 21 in San Diego, California.
Poor and marginalized communities are being disproportionately affected by the current health and climate crises. What are the big fixes and creative strategies that can help us go deeper with green and secure a more sustainable future for all?
On July 26, Principal John Woelfling will discuss the connection between climate, health, and equity with Metropolis editor-in-chief Avinash Rajagopal.
Poor and marginalized communities are being disproportionately affected by the current health and climate crises. What are the big fixes and creative strategies that can help us go deeper with green and secure a more sustainable future for all?
On July 26, Principal John Woelfling will discuss the connection between climate, health, and equity with Metropolis editor-in-chief Avinash Rajagopal.
For the third year in a row, Dattner Architects has partnered with Services for the UnderServed (S:US) for our Day of Service. S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. This year, over 35 volunteers came together to provide an interior refresh to one of their NYC shelters for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This was an opportunity to create beautiful, vibrant, and functional spaces for the residents and staff.
"S:US came to us with a challenging project in mind knowing that we would work with their clients and staff to enhance their space. This domestic violence shelter had several crowded offices and community rooms that were either very drab, or chaotically colorful. We were able to create a cohesive design that lightened up the rooms, tied them together, and gave residents and staff places to express their creativity. Someone remarked how architects are able to take a simple paint job and make it into something extraordinary. We would like to think we did just that. The space looks incredible." — Paul Neidhard & Gus Munoz, Day of Service Co-Leaders
Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Richard E. Zacharoff & Associates, Maloney & Company, Skyline Engineering, Thornton Tomasetti, Duvernay + Brooks, Risk Strategies, Mountco Construction & Development, Sherwin Williams, MEGA, and Hirschen Singer & Epstein.
For the third year in a row, Dattner Architects has partnered with Services for the UnderServed (S:US) for our Day of Service. S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. This year, over 35 volunteers came together to provide an interior refresh to one of their NYC shelters for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This was an opportunity to create beautiful, vibrant, and functional spaces for the residents and staff.
"S:US came to us with a challenging project in mind knowing that we would work with their clients and staff to enhance their space. This domestic violence shelter had several crowded offices and community rooms that were either very drab, or chaotically colorful. We were able to create a cohesive design that lightened up the rooms, tied them together, and gave residents and staff places to express their creativity. Someone remarked how architects are able to take a simple paint job and make it into something extraordinary. We would like to think we did just that. The space looks incredible." — Paul Neidhard & Gus Munoz, Day of Service Co-Leaders
Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Richard E. Zacharoff & Associates, Maloney & Company, Skyline Engineering, Thornton Tomasetti, Duvernay + Brooks, Risk Strategies, Mountco Construction & Development, Sherwin Williams, MEGA, and Hirschen Singer & Epstein.
Essex Crossing is one of 10 projects chosen in the Urban Land Institute's ULI Americas Awards for Excellence. This awards program recognizes new projects in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors that exemplify ULI's goals of responsible land use and sustainable community development. The 10 North American winners will now compete against projects from Asia and Europe for the ULI Global Awards.
In 1967, Seward Park Area residents were relocated from their homes to make way for a supposed massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition. Instead, the site remained vacant for decades. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Designed by Dattner Architects, the Goldin at 175 Delancey was the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The 15-story, mixed-use building comprises of senior housing and a four-story podium with neighborhood-driven community services, including an ambulatory care center, local retail spaces, and facilities operated by non-profit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement and Henry Street Settlement.
Essex Crossing is one of 10 projects chosen in the Urban Land Institute's ULI Americas Awards for Excellence. This awards program recognizes new projects in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors that exemplify ULI's goals of responsible land use and sustainable community development. The 10 North American winners will now compete against projects from Asia and Europe for the ULI Global Awards.
In 1967, Seward Park Area residents were relocated from their homes to make way for a supposed massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition. Instead, the site remained vacant for decades. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Designed by Dattner Architects, the Goldin at 175 Delancey was the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The 15-story, mixed-use building comprises of senior housing and a four-story podium with neighborhood-driven community services, including an ambulatory care center, local retail spaces, and facilities operated by non-profit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement and Henry Street Settlement.
Design Trust for Public Space honored Dattner Architects with a Public Space Leadership Award at the inaugural Benefit for Public Space. In bestowing the award, executive director Matthew Clarke, remarked that "Dattner Architects’ mission-driven approach towards civic architecture is frankly unparalleled in New York City, and perhaps the world." He continued: "When you start to look through [the firm's] catalogue, you are frankly shocked by the scale at which their work has shaped our collective civic life. From affordable housing, subway stations, infrastructure, public spaces, and libraries, I’m inspired and proud that New York can call them ours."
We are incredibly moved to be recognized by the Design Trust for our legacy of and commitment to designing spaces and places for all New Yorkers.
"The social equity, the environmental justice, and the quality of civic spaces we all seek requires creativity and rigor; it demands outreach, engagement, and collaboration. The work that the Design Trust does to accelerate the dialogue is invaluable.” — Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
"I look forward to our future civic accomplishments in creating striking new buildings, places, and communities." — Richard Dattner, Founding Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
Held on June 15, the Benefit for Public Space celebrated Dattner Architects and fellow award recipient, Alfred “Fred” Cerullo (CEO, Grand Central Partnership) with live music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a fundraising auction, and sunset views at the Tribeca Rooftop. During the awards ceremony, a tribute video including interviews with Dattner-clients Services for the UnderServed, Monadnock Development, and Project Renewal was shown.
"The impact of Dattner [Architects] on New York City is hard to calculate because, they have been active in every aspect of development from affordable housing to luxury housing, to public works, to parks and recreation. Their values that they bring to projects is probably as important as their skill level and aesthetic taste in design. We work with them because their value system aligns with ours: that transforming New York City neighborhoods is as important to them as winning an award. That value system is what differentiates them from their peers." — Kirk Goodrich, Partner, Monadnock Development
Design Trust for Public Space honored Dattner Architects with a Public Space Leadership Award at the inaugural Benefit for Public Space. In bestowing the award, executive director Matthew Clarke, remarked that "Dattner Architects’ mission-driven approach towards civic architecture is frankly unparalleled in New York City, and perhaps the world." He continued: "When you start to look through [the firm's] catalogue, you are frankly shocked by the scale at which their work has shaped our collective civic life. From affordable housing, subway stations, infrastructure, public spaces, and libraries, I’m inspired and proud that New York can call them ours."
We are incredibly moved to be recognized by the Design Trust for our legacy of and commitment to designing spaces and places for all New Yorkers.
"The social equity, the environmental justice, and the quality of civic spaces we all seek requires creativity and rigor; it demands outreach, engagement, and collaboration. The work that the Design Trust does to accelerate the dialogue is invaluable.” — Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
"I look forward to our future civic accomplishments in creating striking new buildings, places, and communities." — Richard Dattner, Founding Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
Held on June 15, the Benefit for Public Space celebrated Dattner Architects and fellow award recipient, Alfred “Fred” Cerullo (CEO, Grand Central Partnership) with live music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a fundraising auction, and sunset views at the Tribeca Rooftop. During the awards ceremony, a tribute video including interviews with Dattner-clients Services for the UnderServed, Monadnock Development, and Project Renewal was shown.
"The impact of Dattner [Architects] on New York City is hard to calculate because, they have been active in every aspect of development from affordable housing to luxury housing, to public works, to parks and recreation. Their values that they bring to projects is probably as important as their skill level and aesthetic taste in design. We work with them because their value system aligns with ours: that transforming New York City neighborhoods is as important to them as winning an award. That value system is what differentiates them from their peers." — Kirk Goodrich, Partner, Monadnock Development
On June 22, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich will be speaking at the AIANY Committee on the Environment (COTE)'s "Equity in Electrification: Electrification of Affordable Housing" panel at the Center for Architecture. The AIANY COTE's Equity and Electrification series explores issues of equity in the push to fully electrify New York City's building stock.
The passage of Local Law 154 means that design professionals in New York City will be tasked with providing effective solutions for electrifying buildings. This panel will provide a broad overview of policy and equity issues surrounding building electrification in New York City, along with a case study that tackles the technical opportunities and challenges of electrifying affordable housing.
Rachel will be joined on the panel by Michael Wadman (Phipps Houses) and Zoe Grossman (Bright Power) with Annie Carforo (WE ACT for Environmental Justice) as moderator.
On June 22, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich will be speaking at the AIANY Committee on the Environment (COTE)'s "Equity in Electrification: Electrification of Affordable Housing" panel at the Center for Architecture. The AIANY COTE's Equity and Electrification series explores issues of equity in the push to fully electrify New York City's building stock.
The passage of Local Law 154 means that design professionals in New York City will be tasked with providing effective solutions for electrifying buildings. This panel will provide a broad overview of policy and equity issues surrounding building electrification in New York City, along with a case study that tackles the technical opportunities and challenges of electrifying affordable housing.
Rachel will be joined on the panel by Michael Wadman (Phipps Houses) and Zoe Grossman (Bright Power) with Annie Carforo (WE ACT for Environmental Justice) as moderator.
Dattner Architects has been honored with an Anchin Award for Most Substantial Impact in Sustainability, alongside Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global. This award recognizes companies that have gone above and beyond expectations in regards to sustainability within the built environment, real estate, and construction industries—highlighting innovative project work across a portfolio that presents a thorough and robust strategy for sustainability practices for the long-term.
For decades, Dattner Architects has provided models for impactful civic architecture. From creating the first green schools guide for the largest public district in the US, to designing NYC’s first new subway station in 26 years, we are proving that good design is driven from social and environmental impact.
Our long-standing commitment to sustainable design is characterized by a flexible, project-specific approach that combines passive and low-tech solutions with more active systems, analysis, and controls. With each new commission, we seek to push beyond the conventional standards for sustainability, innovating high-performance approaches that work with the building program, site, and budget. We have become a leader in affordable housing Passive House design by proposing creative solutions in order to meet strict energy efficiency criteria for the building’s insulation, envelope performance, space heating and cooling, and primary energy demand within the building.
"We are honored to be recognized along with Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global for our commitment to sustainability. Our growing experience and expertise in urban, multifamily affordable passive house projects is just a small part of what we can do to mitigate our impact on the built environment. As codes become more stringent and push towards all electric buildings, we hope that this becomes the norm, rather than the exception – but we are glad to be one of the pioneers in this space by proposing creative solutions that work within the existing multifamily design and construction framework. After all: isn’t that the goal, that all our projects are energy efficient and built to rigorous standards that allow for affordable electric heating and cooling while keeping occupant health in mind?" — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
Dattner Architects has been honored with an Anchin Award for Most Substantial Impact in Sustainability, alongside Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global. This award recognizes companies that have gone above and beyond expectations in regards to sustainability within the built environment, real estate, and construction industries—highlighting innovative project work across a portfolio that presents a thorough and robust strategy for sustainability practices for the long-term.
For decades, Dattner Architects has provided models for impactful civic architecture. From creating the first green schools guide for the largest public district in the US, to designing NYC’s first new subway station in 26 years, we are proving that good design is driven from social and environmental impact.
Our long-standing commitment to sustainable design is characterized by a flexible, project-specific approach that combines passive and low-tech solutions with more active systems, analysis, and controls. With each new commission, we seek to push beyond the conventional standards for sustainability, innovating high-performance approaches that work with the building program, site, and budget. We have become a leader in affordable housing Passive House design by proposing creative solutions in order to meet strict energy efficiency criteria for the building’s insulation, envelope performance, space heating and cooling, and primary energy demand within the building.
"We are honored to be recognized along with Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global for our commitment to sustainability. Our growing experience and expertise in urban, multifamily affordable passive house projects is just a small part of what we can do to mitigate our impact on the built environment. As codes become more stringent and push towards all electric buildings, we hope that this becomes the norm, rather than the exception – but we are glad to be one of the pioneers in this space by proposing creative solutions that work within the existing multifamily design and construction framework. After all: isn’t that the goal, that all our projects are energy efficient and built to rigorous standards that allow for affordable electric heating and cooling while keeping occupant health in mind?" — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
Dattner Architects joined Pennrose, RiseBoro Community Partnership, Mega Contracting, City and State officials, and partnering community leaders for the grand opening of 50 Penn — a new mixed-use, transit-oriented development providing access to high-quality, sustainable affordable and moderate-income housing and healthy food choices. 218 units are designed for family occupancy, 42 of which are dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households. Three commercial spaces activate the ground floor, including a health-food grocery store developed through the FRESH program which promotes nutritious, affordable, and fresh food in underserved neighborhoods.
"The lasting relationship between Pennrose and Dattner is rooted in our organizations’ common missions of producing affordable homes with class-leading design for New Yorkers. Our work together at 50 Penn exemplifies how structural synergies between thoughtful architects and developers can result in superior placemaking of a building that is poised to be enjoyed in the Cypress Hills community for generations to come.” — Dylan Salmons, Regional Vice President, Pennrose
"The 50 Penn project is the result of a truly collaborative and innovative effort that could not have been accomplished without the development vision of Pennrose and RiseBoro, the construction acumen of Mega Contracting Group, and the technical expertise of the entire design team. The project’s mixed-use program is a model for redevelopment in high density urban environments with superior access to transit. However, this blessing of transit comes with both challenges above grade with the elevated J train along Fulton Street and the sub-terranean A/C lines cutting across the corner of the site. The technical and construction logistics challenges were many, but ably addressed and executed to result in a much-needed low-carbon, high-quality affordable housing building for 218 families." — John Woelfling AIA, Principal, Dattner Architects
"This project is an important marker of the East New York re-zoning, providing 218 new affordable apartments, local-scale retail spaces, and a grocery store for the Cypress Hills community. We are very proud of this building, as we focused on providing bright and airy units, a beautiful and contextual brick façade, and amenities that serve the tenants including a large, landscaped terrace. Solar panels on the roof and energy-saving features in the building are symbolic of Dattner Architects’ and Pennrose's commitment to a greener future for New York City." — Rem Bruhn AIA, Associate, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects joined Pennrose, RiseBoro Community Partnership, Mega Contracting, City and State officials, and partnering community leaders for the grand opening of 50 Penn — a new mixed-use, transit-oriented development providing access to high-quality, sustainable affordable and moderate-income housing and healthy food choices. 218 units are designed for family occupancy, 42 of which are dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households. Three commercial spaces activate the ground floor, including a health-food grocery store developed through the FRESH program which promotes nutritious, affordable, and fresh food in underserved neighborhoods.
"The lasting relationship between Pennrose and Dattner is rooted in our organizations’ common missions of producing affordable homes with class-leading design for New Yorkers. Our work together at 50 Penn exemplifies how structural synergies between thoughtful architects and developers can result in superior placemaking of a building that is poised to be enjoyed in the Cypress Hills community for generations to come.” — Dylan Salmons, Regional Vice President, Pennrose
"The 50 Penn project is the result of a truly collaborative and innovative effort that could not have been accomplished without the development vision of Pennrose and RiseBoro, the construction acumen of Mega Contracting Group, and the technical expertise of the entire design team. The project’s mixed-use program is a model for redevelopment in high density urban environments with superior access to transit. However, this blessing of transit comes with both challenges above grade with the elevated J train along Fulton Street and the sub-terranean A/C lines cutting across the corner of the site. The technical and construction logistics challenges were many, but ably addressed and executed to result in a much-needed low-carbon, high-quality affordable housing building for 218 families." — John Woelfling AIA, Principal, Dattner Architects
"This project is an important marker of the East New York re-zoning, providing 218 new affordable apartments, local-scale retail spaces, and a grocery store for the Cypress Hills community. We are very proud of this building, as we focused on providing bright and airy units, a beautiful and contextual brick façade, and amenities that serve the tenants including a large, landscaped terrace. Solar panels on the roof and energy-saving features in the building are symbolic of Dattner Architects’ and Pennrose's commitment to a greener future for New York City." — Rem Bruhn AIA, Associate, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Scarsdale Public Library and Santaella Gardens have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Both projects will be honored at an awards gala on June 14 at The Manhattan Manor.
The Scarsdale Public Library project responds to the shifts in community needs, trends in library services, and changes in user preferences. Through a comprehensive programming and planning exercise, the space was redesigned, renovated, and expanded to fulfill the Library’s mission.
Built in 1951 and added to over time, the library required transformation to optimize utilization of the full facility, improve the library experience, and provide adaptable spaces that embraced new developments in technology. The design team incorporated a new “makerspace” for the community and explored options to allow a greater amount of flexibility at all levels of programming. While the flexible spaces and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new cafe, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit.
“We are honored to receive this SARA award for the recent renovation and expansion of the Scarsdale Library. The project retains the best features of a beloved community building while radically rethinking it to become a more modern, versatile, and attractive space.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House residential development—providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Passive House design teaches us that the work has to be integrative and coordinated at every level to achieve this high bar for design and performance. Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involved our committed clients, Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the skills and Passive House experience of Monadnock Construction, and the entire design and consulting team. Santaella Gardens is a model for the high quality, high performance affordable housing New York City needs to transition to a clean energy economy and build social equity through comfortable, healthy homes." — Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA
"Our Santaella Gardens project addresses two of our most pressing items as a society: addressing Climate Change and the creation of Affordable Housing. The project's Passive House design creates a low carbon, high health building that can serve as a model to partially address health inequities that occur in our urban centers. Passive House is an integrated and complex project type to design and build. Much recognition should go to Phipps Houses and The Acacia Network for entrusting this project to our design team and to Monadnock Construction for delivering such a high performance building on an affordable housing budget." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Scarsdale Public Library and Santaella Gardens have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Both projects will be honored at an awards gala on June 14 at The Manhattan Manor.
The Scarsdale Public Library project responds to the shifts in community needs, trends in library services, and changes in user preferences. Through a comprehensive programming and planning exercise, the space was redesigned, renovated, and expanded to fulfill the Library’s mission.
Built in 1951 and added to over time, the library required transformation to optimize utilization of the full facility, improve the library experience, and provide adaptable spaces that embraced new developments in technology. The design team incorporated a new “makerspace” for the community and explored options to allow a greater amount of flexibility at all levels of programming. While the flexible spaces and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new cafe, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit.
“We are honored to receive this SARA award for the recent renovation and expansion of the Scarsdale Library. The project retains the best features of a beloved community building while radically rethinking it to become a more modern, versatile, and attractive space.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House residential development—providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Passive House design teaches us that the work has to be integrative and coordinated at every level to achieve this high bar for design and performance. Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involved our committed clients, Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the skills and Passive House experience of Monadnock Construction, and the entire design and consulting team. Santaella Gardens is a model for the high quality, high performance affordable housing New York City needs to transition to a clean energy economy and build social equity through comfortable, healthy homes." — Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA
"Our Santaella Gardens project addresses two of our most pressing items as a society: addressing Climate Change and the creation of Affordable Housing. The project's Passive House design creates a low carbon, high health building that can serve as a model to partially address health inequities that occur in our urban centers. Passive House is an integrated and complex project type to design and build. Much recognition should go to Phipps Houses and The Acacia Network for entrusting this project to our design team and to Monadnock Construction for delivering such a high performance building on an affordable housing budget." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
On March 9, Dattner Architects joined the Institute for Community Living (ICL), Mega Contracting Group, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Nevins Street Apartments.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Nevins Street Apartments reinvigorates a century-old building through a gut renovation and addition to provide affordable housing, supportive housing, and on-site supportive services including case management and mental health services. The historic site of 50 Nevins Street, with its new 10-story addition, now features 129 new apartments serving those in need. 78 are supportive units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care.
"Dattner Architects has had the honor of collaborating with ICL and Mega Contracting Group to complete this bold repositioning of ICL's flagship facility as a modern affordable housing building in Downtown Brooklyn. The extensive renovations of the existing building will not only make the building fully accessible, but will also improve the energy performance of the building with efficient systems coupled with on-site renewable power generation. In addition to the renovation, the project was able to expand the building footprint and density of the project through a rezoning that required support from the NYC Department of City Planning and community partners. As the saying goes, "It takes a village..." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
"50 Nevins consists of the gut-rehabilitation of a historically significant century-old building, merged with a new, contemporary-looking addition—a nod to a facility’s present connecting with its past. Originally a YWCA, this building has had indeed a long history of offering housing, shelter, and support for low-income individuals. We are pleased to have worked with ICL to contribute to such an important legacy by providing new and much needed supportive and affordable housing. We trust that the result of our collective efforts is an environment that is welcoming, stimulating, and caring—and a building which will generate an overall sense of care, comfort, and satisfaction for its residents as well as a positive impact on the neighborhood at large." — Senior Associate Philippe Martelly AIA
On March 9, Dattner Architects joined the Institute for Community Living (ICL), Mega Contracting Group, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Nevins Street Apartments.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Nevins Street Apartments reinvigorates a century-old building through a gut renovation and addition to provide affordable housing, supportive housing, and on-site supportive services including case management and mental health services. The historic site of 50 Nevins Street, with its new 10-story addition, now features 129 new apartments serving those in need. 78 are supportive units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care.
"Dattner Architects has had the honor of collaborating with ICL and Mega Contracting Group to complete this bold repositioning of ICL's flagship facility as a modern affordable housing building in Downtown Brooklyn. The extensive renovations of the existing building will not only make the building fully accessible, but will also improve the energy performance of the building with efficient systems coupled with on-site renewable power generation. In addition to the renovation, the project was able to expand the building footprint and density of the project through a rezoning that required support from the NYC Department of City Planning and community partners. As the saying goes, "It takes a village..." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
"50 Nevins consists of the gut-rehabilitation of a historically significant century-old building, merged with a new, contemporary-looking addition—a nod to a facility’s present connecting with its past. Originally a YWCA, this building has had indeed a long history of offering housing, shelter, and support for low-income individuals. We are pleased to have worked with ICL to contribute to such an important legacy by providing new and much needed supportive and affordable housing. We trust that the result of our collective efforts is an environment that is welcoming, stimulating, and caring—and a building which will generate an overall sense of care, comfort, and satisfaction for its residents as well as a positive impact on the neighborhood at large." — Senior Associate Philippe Martelly AIA
Project Architect Brandon Wang, Designer Kathy Mu, and Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi will be speaking at this year’s LIVING FUTURE ‘22 (LF22) Conference.
Held from May 2-13, LF22 unites a community of deep-green thought leaders, practitioners, and healthy materials providers for inspiration and knowledge sharing of strategies to address racial inequities and injustices in our communities. The conference is split into 10 tracks: Just Future; Climate Justice; Ecological Restoration; Resilience; Policy; Zero Carbon; Health; Materials; Beauty + Biophilia; and Innovation in Ownership
Community Engagement and Climate Justice: Inspiring Architects to Engage
Date: May 3, 2022 at 5:30pm EST
Track: Climate Justice
In the fall of 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Dattner Architects prepared and facilitated a series of internal workshops studying climate justice and community engagement. Often, community engagement discussions center on development opportunities and when they should happen. At the time of the workshops, with everyone spending significantly more time confined in their own neighborhoods, we took this opportunity to study these areas in-depth and through the lens of a resident. By starting with this approach and folding in concepts of climate justice and the role of the architect, we developed a unique understanding of community engagement that allows for greater empathy for and connection to the communities with which we serve.
By reviewing these workshops, and emulating some of the techniques used, this session will explore innovative ways to engage with communities and ourselves as stewards of the built environment.
Project Architect Brandon Wang, Designer Kathy Mu, and Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi will be speaking at this year’s LIVING FUTURE ‘22 (LF22) Conference.
Held from May 2-13, LF22 unites a community of deep-green thought leaders, practitioners, and healthy materials providers for inspiration and knowledge sharing of strategies to address racial inequities and injustices in our communities. The conference is split into 10 tracks: Just Future; Climate Justice; Ecological Restoration; Resilience; Policy; Zero Carbon; Health; Materials; Beauty + Biophilia; and Innovation in Ownership
Community Engagement and Climate Justice: Inspiring Architects to Engage
Date: May 3, 2022 at 5:30pm EST
Track: Climate Justice
In the fall of 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Dattner Architects prepared and facilitated a series of internal workshops studying climate justice and community engagement. Often, community engagement discussions center on development opportunities and when they should happen. At the time of the workshops, with everyone spending significantly more time confined in their own neighborhoods, we took this opportunity to study these areas in-depth and through the lens of a resident. By starting with this approach and folding in concepts of climate justice and the role of the architect, we developed a unique understanding of community engagement that allows for greater empathy for and connection to the communities with which we serve.
By reviewing these workshops, and emulating some of the techniques used, this session will explore innovative ways to engage with communities and ourselves as stewards of the built environment.
On Earth Day, Dattner Architects is pleased to announce the creation of a Director of Sustainability role at the firm, affirming our long-standing commitment to sustainability. This important new position will be filled by Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, a highly accomplished architect and knowledgeable advocate for environmental responsibility.
Shefali has over 15 years of experience working in affordable housing, with an emphasis on resiliency, occupant health and comfort, and energy efficiency. An expert on urban Passive House projects, she is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable. Shefali believes that it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
“With this timely announcement, Dattner Architects is emphasizing our commitment to incorporating sustainable design across our broad portfolio. We are confident that Shefali in her new role as Director of Sustainability will allow us to broadly and consistently apply our extensive knowledge about energy, healthy environments, and occupant comfort to benefit our clients and the buildings we design for them.
Shefali’s commitment to designing sustainable buildings utilizing the rigorous Passive House system and her more broad focus of leadership of our internal Sustainable Practice Group makes her an ideal person to guide the firm and the design profession towards a common goal of reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.” — Principal John Woelfling AIA, LEED AP, CPHT
As Director of Sustainability, Shefali will serve as a thought leader across Dattner Architects’ studios, and beyond, championing sustainability as integral to architecture. She will help establish the direction of our research and lead the exploration and application of sustainability in-house by facilitating knowledge sharing amongst project teams, firm leadership, and our professional development groups. Shefali will continue to serve as co-chair of the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group, established in 2012.
“Dattner Architects has a long-standing reputation for being a leader in urban sustainable design, and I am honored to be part of the next phase of our firm’s evolution. The creation of this role truly formalizes our commitment to sustainability and allows us to continue to push the bar for all of our projects, across all studios.
This is also a great opportunity for our office to continue to share and speak about our current ongoing research on energy usage, renewables, materials, indoor health, site ecology, and urban infrastructure—all through the lens of climate justice, social equity, and sustainability at large. The civic work Dattner does touches all aspects of our lives, especially here in NYC—and with the issuance of the latest IPCC report and current geo-political strife, it is even more important to ensure that all of our work continues to be as sustainable as possible” — Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C
On Earth Day, Dattner Architects is pleased to announce the creation of a Director of Sustainability role at the firm, affirming our long-standing commitment to sustainability. This important new position will be filled by Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, a highly accomplished architect and knowledgeable advocate for environmental responsibility.
Shefali has over 15 years of experience working in affordable housing, with an emphasis on resiliency, occupant health and comfort, and energy efficiency. An expert on urban Passive House projects, she is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable. Shefali believes that it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
“With this timely announcement, Dattner Architects is emphasizing our commitment to incorporating sustainable design across our broad portfolio. We are confident that Shefali in her new role as Director of Sustainability will allow us to broadly and consistently apply our extensive knowledge about energy, healthy environments, and occupant comfort to benefit our clients and the buildings we design for them.
Shefali’s commitment to designing sustainable buildings utilizing the rigorous Passive House system and her more broad focus of leadership of our internal Sustainable Practice Group makes her an ideal person to guide the firm and the design profession towards a common goal of reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.” — Principal John Woelfling AIA, LEED AP, CPHT
As Director of Sustainability, Shefali will serve as a thought leader across Dattner Architects’ studios, and beyond, championing sustainability as integral to architecture. She will help establish the direction of our research and lead the exploration and application of sustainability in-house by facilitating knowledge sharing amongst project teams, firm leadership, and our professional development groups. Shefali will continue to serve as co-chair of the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group, established in 2012.
“Dattner Architects has a long-standing reputation for being a leader in urban sustainable design, and I am honored to be part of the next phase of our firm’s evolution. The creation of this role truly formalizes our commitment to sustainability and allows us to continue to push the bar for all of our projects, across all studios.
This is also a great opportunity for our office to continue to share and speak about our current ongoing research on energy usage, renewables, materials, indoor health, site ecology, and urban infrastructure—all through the lens of climate justice, social equity, and sustainability at large. The civic work Dattner does touches all aspects of our lives, especially here in NYC—and with the issuance of the latest IPCC report and current geo-political strife, it is even more important to ensure that all of our work continues to be as sustainable as possible” — Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that WSFSSH at West 108 is the recipient of an AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award! Celebrating its eighth year, the Excelsior Awards program highlights the best in publicly funded buildings, outdoor areas, and public art across New York State.
WSFSSH at West 108 is sponsored and operated by one of New York City’s most respected non-profit affordable housing providers—West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH). Their vision was to create an integrated response to an urgent need for transitional, supportive, and family housing that promotes the dignity of each individual and enhances community.
"WSFSSH at West 108 is a very special project that provides transitional housing for homeless older adults, permanent supportive and affordable family housing, and an array of social services. The program includes a community health clinic and spaces for community activities. Varied heights, setbacks, and materials respond to the neighborhood context, while creating a distinctive identity for this sustainably designed building." — William Stein FAIA
The shelter and supportive / affordable housing programs are designed to be integrated with a single entry and reception desk, while also allowing the transitional program to have its own secure circulation system. The development provides 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
The ground floor is organized around a “main street” that links recreation spaces and support services for residents, including lounges for each program, a dining room and commercial kitchen, community rooms, children’s playroom, and social service offices. Additional amenity spaces include a landscaped outdoor recreation area and 7th floor roof terrace. The dining room is accessible for community events. A lower level accommodates a primary care health clinic.
"WSFSSH at West 108th brings much needed affordable, supportive, and transitional housing to Manhattan Valley in a building that is respectful of neighborhood context, while also providing a safe, healthy, lively space for tenants. We are proud to have been a part of the team bringing this building online, and appreciative of this recognition of what the project brings to the community." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that WSFSSH at West 108 is the recipient of an AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award! Celebrating its eighth year, the Excelsior Awards program highlights the best in publicly funded buildings, outdoor areas, and public art across New York State.
WSFSSH at West 108 is sponsored and operated by one of New York City’s most respected non-profit affordable housing providers—West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH). Their vision was to create an integrated response to an urgent need for transitional, supportive, and family housing that promotes the dignity of each individual and enhances community.
"WSFSSH at West 108 is a very special project that provides transitional housing for homeless older adults, permanent supportive and affordable family housing, and an array of social services. The program includes a community health clinic and spaces for community activities. Varied heights, setbacks, and materials respond to the neighborhood context, while creating a distinctive identity for this sustainably designed building." — William Stein FAIA
The shelter and supportive / affordable housing programs are designed to be integrated with a single entry and reception desk, while also allowing the transitional program to have its own secure circulation system. The development provides 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
The ground floor is organized around a “main street” that links recreation spaces and support services for residents, including lounges for each program, a dining room and commercial kitchen, community rooms, children’s playroom, and social service offices. Additional amenity spaces include a landscaped outdoor recreation area and 7th floor roof terrace. The dining room is accessible for community events. A lower level accommodates a primary care health clinic.
"WSFSSH at West 108th brings much needed affordable, supportive, and transitional housing to Manhattan Valley in a building that is respectful of neighborhood context, while also providing a safe, healthy, lively space for tenants. We are proud to have been a part of the team bringing this building online, and appreciative of this recognition of what the project brings to the community." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA
On April 8, 2022, Principal Gia Mainiero spoke at AIA’s Public Architects Symposium, Climate of Public Architecture. Held at AIA Headquarters in Washington, DC, the symposium brought together practitioners and AEC industry professionals to discuss the critical issues facing the profession and built environment.
The Public Architect has long served as a frontline mediator of the vision, scope, impact, and long-term viability of our essential community architecture. As the public discourse on infrastructure broadens to include the full spectrum of social services, we are at a key moment to examine the integration of essential architecture into communities, both for programs viewed as desirable and those met with resistance. The Public Architect must balance a multi-disciplinary process that is responsive to community context and demographics, but also to publicly funded capital and operating budgets.
Gia discussed how legislation, processes, and procurement strategies are upping the bar for public architecture in New York City, positioning public buildings at the forefront of sustainable and resilient design.
On April 8, 2022, Principal Gia Mainiero spoke at AIA’s Public Architects Symposium, Climate of Public Architecture. Held at AIA Headquarters in Washington, DC, the symposium brought together practitioners and AEC industry professionals to discuss the critical issues facing the profession and built environment.
The Public Architect has long served as a frontline mediator of the vision, scope, impact, and long-term viability of our essential community architecture. As the public discourse on infrastructure broadens to include the full spectrum of social services, we are at a key moment to examine the integration of essential architecture into communities, both for programs viewed as desirable and those met with resistance. The Public Architect must balance a multi-disciplinary process that is responsive to community context and demographics, but also to publicly funded capital and operating budgets.
Gia discussed how legislation, processes, and procurement strategies are upping the bar for public architecture in New York City, positioning public buildings at the forefront of sustainable and resilient design.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Santaella Gardens is officially PHIUS+ 2015 Passive House certified!
Located in the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use residential development, providing workforce and affordable housing with retail and a community facility on the ground floor. The building relies on advanced, climate-specific design strategies to reduce energy use. The super‐insulated, virtually air‐tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high‐performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high‐performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
A continual supply of fresh, filtered air is provided to all apartments and common areas via Energy Recovery Ventilators, which continually exhaust stale air while recapturing energy from the exhaust air. Residents enjoy enhanced indoor air quality without opening windows, increasing indoor comfort by blocking noise and particulates from the elevated train and nearby Bronx River Parkway. Space conditioning for apartments and common areas is provided with air-source heat pumps, an all-electric solution that advances the electrification goals of New York City’s own Green New Deal, known as OneNYC 2050. These strategies enhance occupant comfort, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and yield immense energy savings, lowering the utility bills for the lifespan of the building.
Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels generate onsite renewable energy, with a total capacity of 162.7 kW. Energy‐efficient features include ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting with control sensors, and Energy Recovery Ventilation. These work together with the super-insulated building envelope to drive down the energy use intensity (EUI) to a projected site EUI of 20.40 kBTU/sqft/Yr.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Santaella Gardens is officially PHIUS+ 2015 Passive House certified!
Located in the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use residential development, providing workforce and affordable housing with retail and a community facility on the ground floor. The building relies on advanced, climate-specific design strategies to reduce energy use. The super‐insulated, virtually air‐tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high‐performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high‐performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
A continual supply of fresh, filtered air is provided to all apartments and common areas via Energy Recovery Ventilators, which continually exhaust stale air while recapturing energy from the exhaust air. Residents enjoy enhanced indoor air quality without opening windows, increasing indoor comfort by blocking noise and particulates from the elevated train and nearby Bronx River Parkway. Space conditioning for apartments and common areas is provided with air-source heat pumps, an all-electric solution that advances the electrification goals of New York City’s own Green New Deal, known as OneNYC 2050. These strategies enhance occupant comfort, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and yield immense energy savings, lowering the utility bills for the lifespan of the building.
Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels generate onsite renewable energy, with a total capacity of 162.7 kW. Energy‐efficient features include ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting with control sensors, and Energy Recovery Ventilation. These work together with the super-insulated building envelope to drive down the energy use intensity (EUI) to a projected site EUI of 20.40 kBTU/sqft/Yr.
On March 8, Dattner Architects joined Acacia Network, Phipps Houses, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Santaella Gardens. The event coincided with International Women’s Day, as the development was named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella – the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court. The ceremony included remarks and participation from Justice Santaella’s family, including her daughter Ivette Santaella, Esq.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
Located in the Soundview area of the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House development, providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Santaella Gardens revitalizes an underutilized lot with a lively, high-performance building that responds to two of the most urgent needs we face: the demand to build social equity and value by reinvesting in our communities and the urgent need to transition to a clean energy economy, shifting to a healthy, sustainable model for our communities and the environment.” — Rachel Ehrlich, Associate Principal, Dattner Architects
The building’s colorful accents were inspired by the famous doors and stucco façades of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with their bright, contrasting colors. The strong horizontal expression of the window groupings and lively alternating colors can be perceived from all angles, to be enjoyed by pedestrians, subway riders, and travelers on the Bronx River Parkway. The color palette continues within the building creating a warm and vibrant home for these Bronx residents.
“Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involving Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the entire design team, and the skills of Monadnock Construction was necessary to achieve this high-performance building. We hope this type of high quality, low energy building becomes the norm and serves as an example of how these types of affordable, mixed-use buildings can be achieved.” — John Woelfling, Principal, Dattner Architects
The development’s design solutions provide a precedent in utilizing emerging building construction systems to address community health disparities. Projects such as this help to further the mission of many non-profit developers in giving their affordable housing tenants a high quality of life and healthy living environments needed to tackle larger social issues such as climate justice and housing affordability.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
“Phipps Houses is proud of our 20+ year partnership with Dattner Architects. They bring absolute professionalism in both design and service that continues to impress us after all these years. Their design skill and expertise were critical for the development of Santaella Gardens, the first Passive House development for Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network. Dattner’s ability to work pragmatically with Phipps and our general contractor Monadnock Construction on both the technical details of Passive House and the difficult approvals process has been invaluable. We’re thrilled with the end result – a beautiful, extremely energy efficient building, providing desperately needed affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, including units set-aside for formerly homeless households. We look forward to working on more projects with Dattner.” — Michael Wadman, Vice President of Development, Phipps Houses
On March 8, Dattner Architects joined Acacia Network, Phipps Houses, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Santaella Gardens. The event coincided with International Women’s Day, as the development was named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella – the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court. The ceremony included remarks and participation from Justice Santaella’s family, including her daughter Ivette Santaella, Esq.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
Located in the Soundview area of the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House development, providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Santaella Gardens revitalizes an underutilized lot with a lively, high-performance building that responds to two of the most urgent needs we face: the demand to build social equity and value by reinvesting in our communities and the urgent need to transition to a clean energy economy, shifting to a healthy, sustainable model for our communities and the environment.” — Rachel Ehrlich, Associate Principal, Dattner Architects
The building’s colorful accents were inspired by the famous doors and stucco façades of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with their bright, contrasting colors. The strong horizontal expression of the window groupings and lively alternating colors can be perceived from all angles, to be enjoyed by pedestrians, subway riders, and travelers on the Bronx River Parkway. The color palette continues within the building creating a warm and vibrant home for these Bronx residents.
“Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involving Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the entire design team, and the skills of Monadnock Construction was necessary to achieve this high-performance building. We hope this type of high quality, low energy building becomes the norm and serves as an example of how these types of affordable, mixed-use buildings can be achieved.” — John Woelfling, Principal, Dattner Architects
The development’s design solutions provide a precedent in utilizing emerging building construction systems to address community health disparities. Projects such as this help to further the mission of many non-profit developers in giving their affordable housing tenants a high quality of life and healthy living environments needed to tackle larger social issues such as climate justice and housing affordability.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
“Phipps Houses is proud of our 20+ year partnership with Dattner Architects. They bring absolute professionalism in both design and service that continues to impress us after all these years. Their design skill and expertise were critical for the development of Santaella Gardens, the first Passive House development for Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network. Dattner’s ability to work pragmatically with Phipps and our general contractor Monadnock Construction on both the technical details of Passive House and the difficult approvals process has been invaluable. We’re thrilled with the end result – a beautiful, extremely energy efficient building, providing desperately needed affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, including units set-aside for formerly homeless households. We look forward to working on more projects with Dattner.” — Michael Wadman, Vice President of Development, Phipps Houses
Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, Associate Alex Muller, Project Architect Pascale Baladi, and Architectural Designer Soumya Rao will be speaking at this year’s Monograph Section Cut conference. Section Cut is Monograph’s semi-annual conference for Practice Operations and Design Professionals across Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Engineering. The Spring/Summer 2022 edition is being held from March 8-10.
Using Data to Push the Envelope on Sustainability
March 8 at 3:00pm EST
Representing Dattner Architects’ Sustainable Practice Group (SPG), Shefali and Alex will explore how SPG gathers usable metrics to measure the efficacy of sustainability goals. Over the years, this research has led to white papers and primers on changing codes and local laws, new technologies, case studies on existing infrastructure, and more.
Dattner Architects: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategies
March 9 at 12:00pm EST
As part of Dattner Architects’ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Pascale and Soumya will discuss the firm’s six areas of commitment which tackle internal and external actions devoted to upholding sound social values through our practice. New processes have been implemented to not only deepen our understanding of the communities we work in, but to continue to foster a firm culture that enables our staff to achieve their highest level of creativity and authenticity.
Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, Associate Alex Muller, Project Architect Pascale Baladi, and Architectural Designer Soumya Rao will be speaking at this year’s Monograph Section Cut conference. Section Cut is Monograph’s semi-annual conference for Practice Operations and Design Professionals across Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Engineering. The Spring/Summer 2022 edition is being held from March 8-10.
Using Data to Push the Envelope on Sustainability
March 8 at 3:00pm EST
Representing Dattner Architects’ Sustainable Practice Group (SPG), Shefali and Alex will explore how SPG gathers usable metrics to measure the efficacy of sustainability goals. Over the years, this research has led to white papers and primers on changing codes and local laws, new technologies, case studies on existing infrastructure, and more.
Dattner Architects: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategies
March 9 at 12:00pm EST
As part of Dattner Architects’ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Pascale and Soumya will discuss the firm’s six areas of commitment which tackle internal and external actions devoted to upholding sound social values through our practice. New processes have been implemented to not only deepen our understanding of the communities we work in, but to continue to foster a firm culture that enables our staff to achieve their highest level of creativity and authenticity.
Principal Beth Greenberg, Associate Principal Ruth Ro, and Senior Associate Keith Engel will join industry leaders and peers at this year’s New York Build Expo on March 2-3 at the Javits Center.
Panel: Housing New York
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 11:00am
Speakers: Keith Engel (Dattner Architects); Wendi Shafran (FXCollaborative Architects); Arvind Sohoni (New York City Housing Authority); Ahmed Tigani (NYC Housing Preservation & Development); Matthew Rooney (MDG Design+Construction)
Panel: A New World of Working and Collaboration
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 12:00pm
Speakers: Beth Greenberg (Dattner Architects); Vivian Lee (Woods Bagot); Daniel Topping (NK Architects); Raymond LeChase (LeChase Construction); Kimle Nailer (National Association of Black Women in Construction); Camille Rimmer (Gilbane Building Company); Adam Glass (Advance2000)
Panel: Pushing Boundaries in Urban Architecture and Design
Date & Time: March 3, 2022 at 2:00pm
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Nicole McGlinn (Kohn Pedersen Fox); Jun Seong Ahn (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill); Carisima Koenig (Perkins Eastman); Bettina Zerza (ZERZA); Emily Weidenhof (NYC Department of Transport); David Harber (David Harber)
New York Build Expo is the largest construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. The show features 300+ top industry speakers across 11 tracks and AIA CES approved workshops, 250+ exhibitors, exclusive free-to-attend networking events including the Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, New York’s Festival of Construction, and much more.
Register for free tickets: https://www.newyorkbuildexpo.com
Principal Beth Greenberg, Associate Principal Ruth Ro, and Senior Associate Keith Engel will join industry leaders and peers at this year’s New York Build Expo on March 2-3 at the Javits Center.
Panel: Housing New York
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 11:00am
Speakers: Keith Engel (Dattner Architects); Wendi Shafran (FXCollaborative Architects); Arvind Sohoni (New York City Housing Authority); Ahmed Tigani (NYC Housing Preservation & Development); Matthew Rooney (MDG Design+Construction)
Panel: A New World of Working and Collaboration
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 12:00pm
Speakers: Beth Greenberg (Dattner Architects); Vivian Lee (Woods Bagot); Daniel Topping (NK Architects); Raymond LeChase (LeChase Construction); Kimle Nailer (National Association of Black Women in Construction); Camille Rimmer (Gilbane Building Company); Adam Glass (Advance2000)
Panel: Pushing Boundaries in Urban Architecture and Design
Date & Time: March 3, 2022 at 2:00pm
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Nicole McGlinn (Kohn Pedersen Fox); Jun Seong Ahn (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill); Carisima Koenig (Perkins Eastman); Bettina Zerza (ZERZA); Emily Weidenhof (NYC Department of Transport); David Harber (David Harber)
New York Build Expo is the largest construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. The show features 300+ top industry speakers across 11 tracks and AIA CES approved workshops, 250+ exhibitors, exclusive free-to-attend networking events including the Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, New York’s Festival of Construction, and much more.
Register for free tickets: https://www.newyorkbuildexpo.com
Alafia has been recognized with a Merit Award in the Urban Design category of the 2022 AIA New York Design Awards! As part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, this ambitious master plan creates a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
During the jury symposium, members of the jury commented on the multiple layers of residential and community benefit Alafia provides. They commended the sustainable green environment within and were particularly impressed with how much detail had been thought out and addressed – from stormwater to rising sea levels.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The project also includes a substantial amount of retail space and a major health clinic that will serve the residents as well as the greater south Brooklyn area. Alafia emphasizes the connections between economic and physical health through an ambitious urban agriculture program that will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Adjacent to Betts Creek and Jamaica Bay, the site abuts a coastal ecosystem of marshlands and maritime groves. The plan fully integrates long-term environmental resiliency. The campus will include over 6-acres of open space, including bioswales, farmland, and other measures to absorb water and control erosion. The project is expected to resist rising sea levels, 500-year storm events through the end of the century.
Dattner Architects is currently designing the first three buildings in the development.
All AIA New York Design Award winners are featured in an awards exhibition at the Center for Architecture through June 11.
Alafia has been recognized with a Merit Award in the Urban Design category of the 2022 AIA New York Design Awards! As part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, this ambitious master plan creates a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
During the jury symposium, members of the jury commented on the multiple layers of residential and community benefit Alafia provides. They commended the sustainable green environment within and were particularly impressed with how much detail had been thought out and addressed – from stormwater to rising sea levels.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The project also includes a substantial amount of retail space and a major health clinic that will serve the residents as well as the greater south Brooklyn area. Alafia emphasizes the connections between economic and physical health through an ambitious urban agriculture program that will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Adjacent to Betts Creek and Jamaica Bay, the site abuts a coastal ecosystem of marshlands and maritime groves. The plan fully integrates long-term environmental resiliency. The campus will include over 6-acres of open space, including bioswales, farmland, and other measures to absorb water and control erosion. The project is expected to resist rising sea levels, 500-year storm events through the end of the century.
Dattner Architects is currently designing the first three buildings in the development.
All AIA New York Design Award winners are featured in an awards exhibition at the Center for Architecture through June 11.
In recognition of their demonstrated leadership, dedication to our firm and our values, and passion for civic architecture, Dattner Architects is proud to announce the promotions of our 12 new Associates and Senior Associates. Alex Muller, Jon King, Patrick McAffrey, and Wei Wang have been elevated to Associate. Our new Senior Associates are Brian Nesin, Daniella LaRocca, Earl Jones, Jen Switala, Mary Beth Lardaro, Philippe Martelly, Robert Drake, and Shefali Sanghvi.
ASSOCIATES
Alex Muller AIA, LEED AP understands the social impact of design and views each project as an opportunity to enhance urban life. His experience coordinating the design and construction of complex buildings, ranging from large government facilities and cultural structures to multi-family housing and adaptive reuse projects, informs his advocacy for environmentally sustainable architecture.
Jon King AIA, LEED AP applies a deep understanding of high performance building practices to his projects informed in part through continual research and collaboration with industry experts on subjects including thermal envelope assemblies and building systems. His ability to integrate and manage functionality and design goals results in built projects with enduring and sustainable value.
Formally trained in both architecture and product design, Patrick McAffrey AIA has a deep understanding of how finished projects at all scales can affect and influence end users. A passion for intelligent urbanism has led him to focus his work on infrastructure and transportation projects, which he believes have profound impact on the building fabric and urban lifestyles they support.
Wei Wang AIA, LEED AP BD+C believes the architect’s role goes beyond design and function; it also uplifts communities and fosters social equity. She has experience managing projects, from mixed-use high-rise residential developments to various types of commercial buildings. Passionate about building materials and research, Wei is active within the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Brian Nesin AIA, LEED AP’s design interest encompasses vastly different scales, from regional planning to furniture design. His portfolio comprises a similar range, from master plans to intricate building details, for clients including government agencies, not-for-profits, and businesses. Brian’s experience with woodworking and design-build informs his exploration of the materiality of buildings.
Daniella LaRocca AIA has focused her career on designing urban infrastructure and transportation projects. Her attention to the technical resolution of complex ideas and experience with the construction administration phase of multiple projects has given her the expertise to develop buildable details, critical to maintaining a project’s design integrity.
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. He is passionate about exploring software applications to advance technical resolutions and collaboration across disciplines. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms allows him to create cohesive, efficient workflows that support design.
Jen Switala AIA believes that architecture evokes different responses in each individual, and that this results in a meaningful complexity to the urban realm. With a diverse background of project experience, Jen has designed affordable and supportive housing, commercial buildings, and comprehensive master plans. She leads Dattner Architects’ R&D Co-Lab, which is focused on examining vital issues confronting the built environment.
As Human Resources Director, Mary Beth Lardaro supports the firm’s civic mission by nurturing a workplace culture that prioritizes mentorship and professional development and inspires designers to do their best work.
She leads recruitment, policy development, benefits, compensation, and pay equity.
Philippe Martelly AIA, CPHC is deeply invested in understanding the human experience and social impact of healthy, sustainable, and well-conceived affordable housing. Through community awareness and sensible design tailored for a given site and neighborhood’s needs, Philippe believes that civic-oriented architects are in a unique position to help create quality spaces as well as nourishing environments where the users and their communities-at-large can proudly prosper.
Guided by a belief that data gathering should always precede design, Robert Drake AIA strives to provide clients and project teams with support based on critical analysis. His experience and comprehensive understanding of the construction process allows him to focus parties on the joint goals of quality, budget, and schedule.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing. She is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable and has become an expert on urban Passive House projects. Shefali believes it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
In recognition of their demonstrated leadership, dedication to our firm and our values, and passion for civic architecture, Dattner Architects is proud to announce the promotions of our 12 new Associates and Senior Associates. Alex Muller, Jon King, Patrick McAffrey, and Wei Wang have been elevated to Associate. Our new Senior Associates are Brian Nesin, Daniella LaRocca, Earl Jones, Jen Switala, Mary Beth Lardaro, Philippe Martelly, Robert Drake, and Shefali Sanghvi.
ASSOCIATES
Alex Muller AIA, LEED AP understands the social impact of design and views each project as an opportunity to enhance urban life. His experience coordinating the design and construction of complex buildings, ranging from large government facilities and cultural structures to multi-family housing and adaptive reuse projects, informs his advocacy for environmentally sustainable architecture.
Jon King AIA, LEED AP applies a deep understanding of high performance building practices to his projects informed in part through continual research and collaboration with industry experts on subjects including thermal envelope assemblies and building systems. His ability to integrate and manage functionality and design goals results in built projects with enduring and sustainable value.
Formally trained in both architecture and product design, Patrick McAffrey AIA has a deep understanding of how finished projects at all scales can affect and influence end users. A passion for intelligent urbanism has led him to focus his work on infrastructure and transportation projects, which he believes have profound impact on the building fabric and urban lifestyles they support.
Wei Wang AIA, LEED AP BD+C believes the architect’s role goes beyond design and function; it also uplifts communities and fosters social equity. She has experience managing projects, from mixed-use high-rise residential developments to various types of commercial buildings. Passionate about building materials and research, Wei is active within the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Brian Nesin AIA, LEED AP’s design interest encompasses vastly different scales, from regional planning to furniture design. His portfolio comprises a similar range, from master plans to intricate building details, for clients including government agencies, not-for-profits, and businesses. Brian’s experience with woodworking and design-build informs his exploration of the materiality of buildings.
Daniella LaRocca AIA has focused her career on designing urban infrastructure and transportation projects. Her attention to the technical resolution of complex ideas and experience with the construction administration phase of multiple projects has given her the expertise to develop buildable details, critical to maintaining a project’s design integrity.
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. He is passionate about exploring software applications to advance technical resolutions and collaboration across disciplines. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms allows him to create cohesive, efficient workflows that support design.
Jen Switala AIA believes that architecture evokes different responses in each individual, and that this results in a meaningful complexity to the urban realm. With a diverse background of project experience, Jen has designed affordable and supportive housing, commercial buildings, and comprehensive master plans. She leads Dattner Architects’ R&D Co-Lab, which is focused on examining vital issues confronting the built environment.
As Human Resources Director, Mary Beth Lardaro supports the firm’s civic mission by nurturing a workplace culture that prioritizes mentorship and professional development and inspires designers to do their best work.
She leads recruitment, policy development, benefits, compensation, and pay equity.
Philippe Martelly AIA, CPHC is deeply invested in understanding the human experience and social impact of healthy, sustainable, and well-conceived affordable housing. Through community awareness and sensible design tailored for a given site and neighborhood’s needs, Philippe believes that civic-oriented architects are in a unique position to help create quality spaces as well as nourishing environments where the users and their communities-at-large can proudly prosper.
Guided by a belief that data gathering should always precede design, Robert Drake AIA strives to provide clients and project teams with support based on critical analysis. His experience and comprehensive understanding of the construction process allows him to focus parties on the joint goals of quality, budget, and schedule.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing. She is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable and has become an expert on urban Passive House projects. Shefali believes it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
Hegeman Avenue Apartments has been recognized with a 2021 Residential Building Award from the Queens & Bronx Building Association (QBBA). Built by Galaxy G. C. Group, Hegeman Avenue was designed by Dattner Architects and developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures in partnership with NYC Housing Preservation & Development’s Supportive Housing Loan Program, New York State’s Homes & Community Renewal Program and Homeless Housing Assistance Program.
Hegeman Avenue is a new affordable and supportive housing development in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The building was designed to support the health, wellness, and stability of its residents. Apartments are light, bright, and airy with high quality finishes and appliances. A large garden, front and rear courtyards, a community room with kitchen, library/computer room, and on-site social services are available for all tenants.
“Dattner is thrilled to be part of the QBBA winning team with Galaxy and CAMBA Housing Ventures to create this unique affordable supportive housing project. Hegeman Avenue presented a new building opportunity to provide quality, energy-efficient and sustainable design to positively impact not only the individuals who live there but the neighborhood at large. Congratulations to the entire team. We look forward to the next collaboration!” — Principal Catherine Selby
Hegeman Avenue Apartments has been recognized with a 2021 Residential Building Award from the Queens & Bronx Building Association (QBBA). Built by Galaxy G. C. Group, Hegeman Avenue was designed by Dattner Architects and developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures in partnership with NYC Housing Preservation & Development’s Supportive Housing Loan Program, New York State’s Homes & Community Renewal Program and Homeless Housing Assistance Program.
Hegeman Avenue is a new affordable and supportive housing development in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The building was designed to support the health, wellness, and stability of its residents. Apartments are light, bright, and airy with high quality finishes and appliances. A large garden, front and rear courtyards, a community room with kitchen, library/computer room, and on-site social services are available for all tenants.
“Dattner is thrilled to be part of the QBBA winning team with Galaxy and CAMBA Housing Ventures to create this unique affordable supportive housing project. Hegeman Avenue presented a new building opportunity to provide quality, energy-efficient and sustainable design to positively impact not only the individuals who live there but the neighborhood at large. Congratulations to the entire team. We look forward to the next collaboration!” — Principal Catherine Selby
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Alafia and Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Held at the TWA Hotel on October 26, the SARA NY Design Awards gala celebrated winners from 2020 and 2021.
Honored with a Design Award of Merit in the Urban Design category, Alafia is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. The plan invests $1.4 Billion for community-based healthcare, affordable housing, and open-space and other programming. Alafia will be the largest development within the Vital Brooklyn initiative.
Situated on a 28-acre site at the edge of New York City, Alafia is an ambitious master plan created through a public-private partnership that includes the state and the city; non-profit, community, and for-profit developers; and local designers and planners. The master plan transforms a decommissioned state psychiatric hospital into a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The housing includes affordable and supportive units, providing homes for formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. An ambitious urban agriculture program will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Selected for a Design Award of Merit in the Educational category, the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center is an iconic symbol of Coney Island’s post-Hurricane Sandy revitalization. The new preschool provides sought-after education for local children and has become a vital neighborhood resource.
The school serves 85 children, fostering social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Their Montessori philosophy that the most important learning occurs outside of the classroom became a vital design driver. Instructional spaces are organized around play roof terraces, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. The landscaping of these play roofs is inspired by Coney Island’s sand dunes and native grasses—in essence, a scaled down version of the barrier beach ecology, incorporating nature into children’s everyday learning. Light-filled classrooms with expansive windows strengthen their relationship to the play roofs; clustered into “neighborhoods,” a sense of safety and intimacy is reinforced throughout.
As part of its community-focused mission, the ground floor is designed for shared use. A daylit, double-height multipurpose space is used as a gym by children during the day and for community events afterhours. The expansive lobby serves as a pre-function space, showcasing artwork by children as well as local artists.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Alafia and Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Held at the TWA Hotel on October 26, the SARA NY Design Awards gala celebrated winners from 2020 and 2021.
Honored with a Design Award of Merit in the Urban Design category, Alafia is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. The plan invests $1.4 Billion for community-based healthcare, affordable housing, and open-space and other programming. Alafia will be the largest development within the Vital Brooklyn initiative.
Situated on a 28-acre site at the edge of New York City, Alafia is an ambitious master plan created through a public-private partnership that includes the state and the city; non-profit, community, and for-profit developers; and local designers and planners. The master plan transforms a decommissioned state psychiatric hospital into a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The housing includes affordable and supportive units, providing homes for formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. An ambitious urban agriculture program will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Selected for a Design Award of Merit in the Educational category, the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center is an iconic symbol of Coney Island’s post-Hurricane Sandy revitalization. The new preschool provides sought-after education for local children and has become a vital neighborhood resource.
The school serves 85 children, fostering social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Their Montessori philosophy that the most important learning occurs outside of the classroom became a vital design driver. Instructional spaces are organized around play roof terraces, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. The landscaping of these play roofs is inspired by Coney Island’s sand dunes and native grasses—in essence, a scaled down version of the barrier beach ecology, incorporating nature into children’s everyday learning. Light-filled classrooms with expansive windows strengthen their relationship to the play roofs; clustered into “neighborhoods,” a sense of safety and intimacy is reinforced throughout.
As part of its community-focused mission, the ground floor is designed for shared use. A daylit, double-height multipurpose space is used as a gym by children during the day and for community events afterhours. The expansive lobby serves as a pre-function space, showcasing artwork by children as well as local artists.
Dattner Architects' Associate Heather McKinstry has been named one of Professional Women in Construction (PWC)'s 20 under 40. The recipients represent a diverse group of 20 individuals excelling in their respective careers.
"I’m honored to have been selected as one of PWC’s 20 under 40 Women in Construction. The tireless work of organization like PWC have changed the culture of the construction industry, and I’m proud to be able to contribute to the work of building our cities."— Heather McKinstry
Heather believes that architecture's most important role is to create inclusive, healthy, and sustainable buildings for communities, while minimizing their impact on the natural environment. As a leader in the firm's Sustainable Practice Group, she chairs the committee on building energy usage. Heather was most recently the Project Manager for 425 Grand Concourse, the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified building in North America.
The 2022 20 Under 40 Class will be honored and celebrated at a ceremony during PWC's holiday party on December 8.
Dattner Architects is proud to share that 425 Grand Concourse and Santaella Gardens were big winners at this year's PhiusCon in Chicago. 425 Grand Concourse took home the award for Best Overall Project as well as Best High-Rise Multifamily, while Santaella Gardens won the Best Project by a Young Professional.
425 Grand Concourse is the largest Passive House (PHIUS) certified project in North America. The 26-story building implements high efficiency building systems with an air-tight building envelope, energy recovery ventilation, and sustainable features to significantly reduce heat loss and gain. The development will consume up to 70% less energy than a conventional housing project.
Santaella Garden's super-insulated, virtually air-tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high-performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high-performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
The 8th Annual Passive Projects Design Competition recognized fully certified passive building projects of all types and in all climate zones. Competition categories included: Best Overall Project; Best Single Family; Best High-Rise Multifamily; Best Low-Rise Multifamily; Best Commercial / Institutional; Best Retrofit; Best Source Zero; and Best Project by a Young Professional.
Dattner Architects is proud to celebrate the grand opening of the Stanley Manne Research Institute! Located at the Bronx High School of Science, the Manne Institute is a new state-of-the-art research building named after, and generously funded by, Bronx Science alumnus Stanley Manne. The donation from Mr. Manne represents the largest individual gift to The Bronx High School of Science Alumni Foundation ever, and the largest gift to a New York City public school in history. This university-level facility will allow high school students from across the Bronx to conduct long-term experiments, preparing them for college or professional settings.
The building houses three multidisciplinary labs, a walk-in cold room, tissue culture room, microscopy room, sterilization room, animal room, and a multi-purpose room for special events. Like a professional lab, spaces are modular and flexible, as equipment and science requirements change over time. Each lab is served by a computational room for group meetings, lectures, and experiment data review.
“The Manne Institute is a transformative project for Bronx Science and our biggest undertaking ever as a Foundation. We needed an architecture firm who could go beyond design. We needed a firm with true expertise, tremendous respect in the industry and the capabilities to help advise through all steps of the project. As we did our research, it became apparent that Daniel Heuberger and his team at Dattner checked all of those boxes and more. We simply could have never done this project without Dattner Architects and their talents.” — Eleanor Coufus, VP - Alumni Foundation, Bronx High School of Science
Offering summer study programs and faculty mentorship opportunities, the Manne Institute will also enable promising students from Bronx Science and other area public high schools additional advanced research opportunities in Microbiology, Animal Behavior, and Genetics.
“This is more than a unique research facility, but a wonderful Bronx story as well. A graduate of the school, Stanley Manne, has given another generation of ambitious and bright students an opportunity to embark on a lifetime of scientific inquiry.” — Daniel Heuberger, Principal, Dattner Architects
Although its footprint is modest in size, this research center is a highly visible place-making addition to the school campus. Along with the much larger main building, it completes the outdoor courtyard where students gather between classes. The lab is visible from all sides, and subtle offsets in the massing and screening of the roof top mechanical plant give each façade a unique visual proportion and contextual relationship. The building is conceived as a precise, finely detailed scientific object.
The façade is composed of tightly spaced, fiber-reinforced concrete panels, punctuated by modular openings that respond to the compact and rational laboratory plans. The three-dimensional panels cast changing and dynamic shadows on the façade over the course of the day. Bright green brick accents representing the school color mark the entrances and line the main stair and lobby.
“The Stanley Manne Research Institute provides a unique opportunity for talented NYC public high school students to be trained in a university-level laboratory. Who knows what important breakthroughs in biology or medicine will be made by these future scientists?” — Brian Nesin, Senior Associate, Dattner Architects
Chestnut Commons was recently featured in Bloomberg CityLab's Look at That Building — a weekly series about everyday and not-so-everyday architecture.
Located in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, this new mixed-use residential project is a model for healthy and sustainable urban living. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households and integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator offering job training, and a credit union.
Principal John Woelfling gave Bloomberg writer Lizzie Kane a tour of the Passive House project, discussing how the design team sought to challenge the traditional model for affordable housing in New York City.
On November 10, Principal John Woelfling will be on the "Decarbonization of Affordable Housing" panel at the Javits Center for Propel by MIPIM NYC — a conference and expo event gathering game changers of the built environment for two days of innovation and opportunities in the real estate industry.
John will be joined by James Lloyd (Director of Policy, New York State Association for Affordable Housing), Tibita Kaneene (Vice President, Green Bank), and Laura Humphrey (Director of Sustainability, L+M Development Partners). Panelists will discuss governmental policy, financing green buildings, challenges and solutions in achieving state-of-the-art low carbon and carbon neutral affordable housing, and much more.
"This building has given me and my daughter Isabella a chance to have a fresh start." — Chasity, 425 Grand Concourse resident
On November 2, Dattner Architects joined Trinity Financial, MBD Community Housing Corporation, City and State officials, local community partners, and 425 Grand Concourse residents to celebrate the grand opening of the largest Passive House (PHIUS) project in North America. Located at one of the Bronx's great boulevards, 425 Grand Concourse provides the Mott Haven neighborhood with affordable housing, community support space, a medical facility, supermarket, and a new student services center for CUNY Hostos.
"Dattner Architects has had the privilege of working for the last seven years on what is an exceptional project in so many ways. The building provides luxury, affordable housing for 277 families in a high-quality, low carbon building that addresses the health inequities that too often occur in our cities. The building’s energy efficient Passive House design drives down the utility costs for the residents and reduces the building’s greenhouse gas emissions-well ahead of LL97’s requirements. The project is an example of smart redevelopment and investment in the Bronx and is replicable in any part of our City to simultaneously address both the affordable housing crisis and the climate crisis." — John Woelfling, Principal
This benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments' living rooms and bedrooms receive filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project's expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight while balancing the window-to-wall ratio that is critical in achieving Passive House performance levels.
"425 Grand Concourse is proof that an environmentally just world is possible. Visible from across the Bronx and beyond, it is a beacon, lighting the way for a brighter future of healthy buildings, cleaner air, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Like all of our affordable housing work, this building is transforming the lives of middle and low income New Yorkers, providing brightly daylit and energy efficient homes for them to call their own." — Heather McKinstry, Associate
On November 10, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking at this year's Small Firm Symposium. Hosted by AIA New York State, AIA New Jersey, and AIA Pennsylvania, the symposium is a two-day virtual program packed with resources for small firms to learn how to operate more effectively and efficiently.
Titled, "Lessons Learned for Small Firms that Want to Become Bigger Firms," Daniel's session will cover Dattner Architects' journey from a small, sole practitioner office to a 125-person firm, and offer lessons learned for how to not only cope with change, but embrace it. Symposium attendees will also hear about the firm's transition planning, adaptation to new technology, diversification of our portfolio, and more.
On November 16, Principal John Woelfling joins Passive House Accelerator (PHA) Live for "Affordable Multi-Family Passive House: A Denser Path to Clean" — an in-depth discussion on how the density associated with urban multi-family buildings can make achieving Passive House performance more attainable, even on an affordable housing budget. Specifically, John will discuss the design and construction of three Dattner-designed, mixed-use Passive House projects: Vital Brookdale, Santaella Gardens, and 425 Grand Concourse.
PHA Live is a virtual weekly series that explores how to slash greenhouse gas emissions and make buildings more resilient to climate change. The series brings together Passive House experts and those simply curious about Passive House to share lessons learned and best practices.
On October 25, Dattner Architects joined the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH), City officials, and partnering community leaders for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for WSFSSH at West 108.
This new, mixed-use residential development provides an integrated approach to urban housing, offering 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
Charming cut metal tree guards, window guards, fences, and gates are seen throughout the development and were created by artist Béatrice Coron. The theme, ROOTS AND SEASONS, is about the way human beings and trees adapt to the change of seasons. The artwork depicts the "balance between strength and flexibility like trees that sink their roots into the earth so they can bend in the wind without breaking."
"Dattner Architects congratulates the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing and the entire project team on the completion of WSFSSH at West 108. This transformative project provides urgently needed affordable and supportive housing, transitional housing for homeless seniors and a primary care clinic. WSFSSH at West 108 is a model for mixed-use, community oriented housing that enhances its neighborhood. We are honored to be the architects for this outstanding project." — William Stein FAIA, Principal
The project also provides spaces that are accessible to the community. The community room is available for scheduled use by community residents, and the dining room serves as a multipurpose space for movie nights, concerts, and other neighborhood events. Other community features include a primary care clinic serving the public, storage space for Central Park Medical Unit ambulances, and a comfort station for the adjacent Anibal Aviles playground. This mix of uses integrates the building with the neighborhood and enhances the quality of life in the community. The project’s sustainable features—including solar panels, energy efficient envelope and systems, and use of healthy materials—contribute to its positive neighborhood impact.
"It was an exciting day seeing all of our collective hard work come to fruition—Dattner Architects is honored to be part of the team. WSFSSH at West 108 is already a cornerstone of the community, bringing much needed affordable and transitional housing to the neighborhood, without looking like typical affordable housing. The interior and exterior of the building came out fantastic, and it is plain to see that residents are proud to call the building home." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
Open House New York (OHNY) promotes broad, unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future. Every October, OHNY Weekend takes center stage. This annual festival opens the doors to hundreds of significant places across NYC to deepen the public's understanding of how design can strengthen communities. This year, OHNY Weekend turned 20, and Dattner Architects was proud to participate in this milestone celebration with tours at Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, Spring Street Salt Shed, Chestnut Commons, and Riverbank State Park.
M125 Garage & Salt Shed
On October 22, Principals Paul Bauer and Gia Mainiero led tours at M125 Garage and Salt Shed alongside members of NYC's Department of Sanitation. A staple site during each OHNY Weekend, these critical civic architecture buildings remain popular with OHNY visitors. The in-person tours included discussions about the design and construction of both buildings, the difficulties of safely storing 5,000 pounds of corrosive material, and addressing the community's previous concerns about safety and aesthetics.
"Like many of the OHNY attendees, this was also my first chance to get a glimpse into the celebrated work that allows our city to support its essential functions. Hearing firsthand from the users of the space and seeing our design in action was an opportunity that underscored the importance of the work we do every day and how it contributes to a better NYC." — Gabriella Orsi, Dattner Architects' Designer and first time OHNY Weekend volunteer
Chestnut Commons
Chestnut Commons recently opened their doors to the community this year, and we were happy to provide behind-the-scenes access to OHNY visitors. One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons is a new Passive House, mixed-use development providing affordable housing, a community center, and retail space. Principal John Woelfling and Senior Associates Keith Engel and David Levine led visitors through the residential lobby and up to the roof, stopping at the second floor roof terrace and some apartments along the way. The group also went to the community center, learning about the rich array of programming the center offers including a satellite campus for CUNY Kingsborough Community College, a construction-oriented job training center, gym, café, and a food manufacturing incubator that also provides culinary training. Visitors on the tours also heard from two of our clients, MHANY Management and Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation.
Riverbank State Park
For the second year in a row, our founder Richard Dattner led OHNY visitors through Riverbank State Park—NYC's first public green roof, and one of the largest still today. Richard was joined on the tours by Leslie Wright, NYC Regional Director for New York State's Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Together, Richard and Leslie discussed Riverbank's inception, design, and construction as well as the critical importance of creating public open space accessible to all.
"It was a remarkable opportunity to tour the park with Richard, hear his stories dating back to the very early days of the park as a community ideal, and together witnessing how the extraordinary park has aged and accommodated a glorious variety of community programs and recreation opportunities for all these past nearly 30 years. Looking at the park's past, present, and future is a testament to Riverbank's original design success." — Leslie Wright, New York State Office of Parks' NYC Regional Director
World-Architects editor John Hill recently visited Dattner Architects, touring the new office and speaking with Principal Daniel Heuberger about a few projects currently in design and construction.
Occupied in the spring of 2022, our new office space reflects our adaptation to hybrid work schedules, and was conceived as a platform for the next decade of our evolution as a firm. Daniel spoke with John about the adaptability of the office layout saying: "We wanted to be very flexible, very open. In the old office, we had pods that were associated with studios. And because we work on a really wide variety of different typologies, there's danger of becoming a little bit siloed."
In the new office, we opted for a furniture-based solution instead of fixed bays or partitions. Instead, each person has a sit/stand desk to maximize comfort, a lockable pedestal, cubby for private belongings, and mobile laptops. The space is organized around project teams with the studios mixed together to better share experiences across sectors.
During the office tour, John and Daniel discussed two in-progress projects: Alafia and Shefa School.
A new wellness-oriented resilient development, Alafia is part of New York State's Vital Brooklyn initiative. The master plan outlines the phased redevelopment of a 25+ acre decommissioned site. Once completed, Alafia will bring over 2,400 units of affordable housing to the neighborhood, including apartments for the formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. The first buildings of the master plan are currently under construction.
Located in Manhattan's Upper West Side, the Shefa School is an adaptive reuse of a 1920s office building into a new home for this expanding Jewish day-school. The program is organized vertically on 12 floors. Administration and public assembly spaces occupy the lowest levels. The primary school is separated by two art and science floors from the middle schoolers at the upper floors. A double height gym, office floor for teacher training, and an outdoor rooftop play yard occupy an addition at the top of the building.
On October 4, Dattner Architects joined MHANY Management (MHANY), Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC), Urban Builders Collaborative, New York City Department of Housing Preservation (HPD), Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and Department of City Planning (DCP) for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Chestnut Commons.
Credit: Summer Shower Productions
One of the first developments stemming from the East New York Neighborhood Plan, Chestnut Commons provides 275 permanently affordable apartments, 55 of which are set aside for formerly homeless households. On the ground floor, a new Cypress Hills East New York Community Center offers rich, multi-layered programming by Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, CUNY Kingsborough Community College, and more.
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is designed to Passive House standards. The development integrates many healthy living, resiliency, and sustainability features, including rooftop solar panels, rooftop farming for residents, and other recreational spaces. Passive solar shading is provided by deeply recessed windows and projected solar shades at the eastern and southern facades.
“There are times where a project’s very name speaks volumes in underscoring the aspirations that were poured into it. Chestnut Commons is such an example, as 'Commons' is defined as ‘land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community’. Therein lies the project's motivation - to provide resources in service of, and responsive to, the needs of the community. Resources for gathering, for education, for housing, and for opportunity. The affects that this development will have on the community are wide-ranging and necessary: increasing the level of deeply affordable housing for underserved populations, and decreasing a reliance on fossil fuels with deeply sustainable and resilient strategies.”—Keith Engel AIA, Senior Associate
Today, October 10, marks World Homeless Day. World Homeless Day has been observed internationally—across several different countries—since its inception in 2010. The purpose is to draw attention to the needs of the people who experience homelessness locally and provide opportunities for the community to get involved in responding to homelessness, while taking advantage of the stage afforded by an 'international day' to advocate for an end to homelessness through improved policy and funding.
There is a local and national homelessness crisis that continues to grow. At Dattner Architects, we have sought out ways to contribute as design professionals in this urgent effort to meet the housing crisis. As individuals and through our work as a firm, we have increased our active participation on Community Boards, zoning, code committees, and architectural review boards; we have undertaken, on behalf of our clients, more and more large-scale rezoning efforts to add more affordable housing; and we have deepened our formal commitment to consider how our projects engage both the population served, and the community in which they are sited.
Healthy, sustainable, and affordable housing is a critical focus for our firm. Dattner Architects believes that the solution to the housing affordability crisis is through providing varied layers of housing and programming developed to help the most vulnerable members of society. We are proud to be designing such projects: shelter housing, transitional housing, supportive housing, and permanent affordable housing.
We believe that housing in service to vulnerable populations goes beyond mere provision for shelter. We support our clients by integrating supportive program components into our transitional, supportive, shelter, and affordable housing projects:
At Allie's Place Family Residence, a 99-unit transitional housing project for formerly homeless families, we collaborated with our client to integrate a culinary vocational program into the heart of the facility; not only providing residents with job training skills, but the self-confidence to support their exit from the cycle of homelessness.
At our purpose-built shelter projects, we worked with our clients to incorporate public-facing medical clinics in service to both the shelter residents and the community-at-large.
At our recently completed Chestnut Commons mixed-use Passive House project, we are proud that 55 of our 275 permanently affordable housing units have been set aside for formerly homeless households. And within the Community Center at the base of the project, in addition to other program in support of the local community, a homeless services provider will provide support for these households.
At our Nevins Street Apartments project, this reinvigorated building features 129 permanently affordable units, with 78 units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care. On-site supportive services are included in the project providing case management and mental health services, designed to address the holistic health of residents.
Our Cooper Gardens affordable and supportive housing project features 181 permanently affordable apartments, with 95 supportive units set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The base of the building features a local pharmacy, an Ambulatory Care Center and a Mind-Body Center that is equipped with indoor and outdoor fitness areas and a teaching kitchen.
And at our WSFSSH at West 108 shelter and supportive housing project, 119 permanently supportive housing units, 80 affordable family units, and a 110-bed transitional shelter address the varied facets of the housing affordability issue. On-site supportive services are provided that include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
At Dattner Architects, we strive to find ways for our projects to function as community resource centers, integrating themselves into the existing community. We believe that housing design for a just and equitable city incorporates projects that are well-designed, sustainable, resilient, and supportive of the communities and populations they serve.
In recognizing that the ability to intervene within the homelessness crisis is only possible through many scales of sustained, collective, and incremental efforts, we encourage all to become engaged at the local level in this critical, humanitarian issue. Between a call to attention, action, and continued advocacy across a range of capacities, we can hope to make a difference. A few suggestions where such efforts can be directly engaged:
Community Boards are presently formulating their FY 2024 Budget Priorities. Sign up to attend your October Community Board meeting to advocate that affordable and supportive housing be included in your community's Capital Budget priorities, and that funding for homeless and supportive housing services be included as Expense Budget priorities.
Contact your elected representatives and request their advocacy on behalf of these issues within your community.
Support your local homeless services street outreach provider through volunteering and/or donating.
Utilize your voice on social media platforms to advocate on behalf of, and educate peers to, local homelessness issues.
On November 3, Principal Daniel Heuberger will be speaking about Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society at this year's Greenbuild Conference in San Francisco, California.
Faced with affordable housing shortages and a rapid need for decarbonization, new residential developments need to address both social and environmental issues. This Greenbuild session addresses technologies and design strategies utilized in Alafia that can be replicated in future projects to achieve affordable and sustainable communities.
Greenbuild Conference
Panel: Low-Carbon Affordable Communities for a Sustainable and Equitable Society
Date: November 3, 2022
Time: 2:45 - 3:45pm (PST)
Daniel will be joined on this panel by Jessica Yoon (L+M Development Partners) and Christopher Kolb (Cosentini Associates) with Lois Arena (Steven Winter Associates) as moderator.
The Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is presented in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council—a mission-focused organization committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. The Greenbuild Conference is designed to keep participants at the forefront of the industry covering sustainability, resilience, health, and wellness.
With the start of October comes the return of Open House New York (OHNY)'s citywide public celebration of architecture! Launched in 2003, OHNY Weekend is an annual festival that opens hundreds of noteworthy and significant places across New York City's five boroughs to foster discovery and delight for all New Yorkers and deepen the public’s understanding of how design can strengthen communities and improve quality of life. And this year, OHNY is celebrating a milestone year—20 years of access, exploration, and discovery!
A long-time supporter of OHNY, Dattner Architects is proud to participate again with in-person tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage, and Spring Street Salt Shed on Sunday, October 22.
Riverbank State Park
A first-of-its-kind recreation facility, Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof and continues to be one of New York State's busiest parks. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
Chestnut Commons
A model for healthy and sustainable urban living, Chestnut Commons is a Passive House-designed, mixed-use residential development in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. Community-centric in both design and development, Chestnut Commons provides affordable housing for formerly homeless and low-income households, and it integrates a satellite Community College campus, a food manufacturing incubator that offers job training, and much more as part of the rich, multi-layered community center programming.
Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed
The Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage houses three district garages for the NYC Department of Sanitation, while the 70’ tall Spring Street Salt Shed is home to 5,000 tons of road salt. Although municipal infrastructure projects are often targeted as undesirable uses, the community has embraced these projects and applauded the use of design to successfully integrate critical services into the neighborhood. This pair of public buildings serves close to 300,000 residents.
All tours at Riverbank State Park, Chestnut Commons, and Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage & Spring Street Salt Shed will require advanced reservations. Reservation Day is October 13.
On October 27, Principal John Woelfling will be one of this year's keynote speakers at PhiusCon 2022. Joining him is Trinity Financial VP of Design & Construction, Christoph Stump. John and Christoph will use 425 Grand Concourse and other Passive House projects to discuss Passive House certification and what it means for the future of multifamily housing developments.
The core principles of Passive House design establish a framework for healthy, energy-efficient, low-carbon buildings—buildings that are consistently comfortable in all seasons.
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Integrated during design and implemented in the construction of 425 Grand Concourse, these principles allow the building to be one of the largest Passive House developments in North America: minimized thermal bridging, energy recovery ventilation systems, an airtight building envelope, and high-performance glazing and thermal insulation.
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Paired with an informed approach to building orientation/form and solar shading, this benchmark sustainable project provides a model for healthy living environments in a district with one of the worst childhood asthma rates in the country. Each apartments’ living rooms and bedrooms directly receives filtered, ventilated air, increasing interior comfort and air quality. The project’s expansive windows provide abundant amounts of daylight into the apartments while balancing the window to wall ratio that is critical to achieving Passive House performance levels.
While design and construction will be at the heart of this PhiusCon conversation, John and Christoph will also take a wider view, examining business solutions and opportunities for these types of projects throughout the country.
Formerly North American Passive House Conference, PhiusCon is the leading passive building conference for climate-specific zero energy design, construction, and building science expertise. Now in its 16th year, the conference is slated for October 25-28 at the historic Palmer House in Chicago.
Dattner Architects is pleased to share that Dana Moore AIA has been accepted into this year's Class of Forefront Fellows. The Urban Design Forum (UDF)'s Forefront Fellowship is an interdisciplinary cohort of designers, policymakers, artists, and activists working to reimagine how the city shapes life for its growing population. The 2022 cohort of Forefront Fellows is addressing waste management in the city and rewriting how New York City can pick up after itself in more sustainable, equitable, and efficient ways.
"I believe waste management is the most critical piece of the urban puzzle, and I think every New Yorker deserves infrastructure that meets their needs with grace. Meeting the waste haulers, building supers, and even volunteers who make this essential service possible is an amazing experience that I will take with me in my design career. Our cohort is already forming fast ties, and I look forward to the solutions we will envision as a team. More than ever, I am reminded that essential services are made up of essential persons—this fellowship is a singular opportunity for me to learn from and design for those voices."—Dana Moore AIA
Riverbank State Park will be a featured tour as part of Archtober's Building of the Day series. A month-long celebration of architecture and design in New York City, Archtober is an annual festival of architecture activities, programs, and exhibitions taking place throughout the month of October. Building of the Day tours are the centerpiece of Archtober with the goal of making exemplary architecture more accessible to the general public.
Archtober Building of the Day: Riverbank State Park
Date / Time: October 8, 2022 at 3:00pm
Location: 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031
Riverbank State Park is New York City's first public green roof, and one of New York State's busiest parks. A first-of-its-kind recreation facility with numerous year-round recreational amenities, the park has become a true community asset. Housed in five major buildings are an Olympic-size swimming complex, a covered skating rink for rolling skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, an 800-seat cultural theater, an indoor athletic complex with fitness facilities, and a 150-seat restaurant. Outdoor amenities include a 25-yard lap pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, a softball field, a playground, and an eight-lane running track surrounding a football/soccer field.
The tour will be led by Dattner Architects’ founder Richard Dattner and will include the fascinating history of Riverbank’s inception, design, and construction—and a discussion of the importance of creating accessible public open space for each New Yorker.
Dattner Architects is excited to share that Scarsdale Public Library has won a national design award in the Renovation, Restoration, and Adaptive Re-use Category from the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA).
This renovation and addition modernizes the existing 1951 facility by integrating state-of-the-art technology throughout, expanding public gathering spaces for community programming, and reorganizing circulation to improve the patron experience. While the flexible spaces, refreshed and re-envisioned interiors, and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new café, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit. New programming opportunities, such as after-hours scheduling for the Technology Center and increased access of the expanded children’s area, solidify the library as a communal hub.
Celebrating design excellence in architecture, this year's winners will be honored at the SARA National Design Awards Gala on October 21 in San Diego, California.
Poor and marginalized communities are being disproportionately affected by the current health and climate crises. What are the big fixes and creative strategies that can help us go deeper with green and secure a more sustainable future for all?
On July 26, Principal John Woelfling will discuss the connection between climate, health, and equity with Metropolis editor-in-chief Avinash Rajagopal.
For the third year in a row, Dattner Architects has partnered with Services for the UnderServed (S:US) for our Day of Service. S:US is a leading NYC nonprofit with deep roots in the community, providing support for populations in need through both housing and counseling services. This year, over 35 volunteers came together to provide an interior refresh to one of their NYC shelters for victims and survivors of domestic violence. This was an opportunity to create beautiful, vibrant, and functional spaces for the residents and staff.
"S:US came to us with a challenging project in mind knowing that we would work with their clients and staff to enhance their space. This domestic violence shelter had several crowded offices and community rooms that were either very drab, or chaotically colorful. We were able to create a cohesive design that lightened up the rooms, tied them together, and gave residents and staff places to express their creativity. Someone remarked how architects are able to take a simple paint job and make it into something extraordinary. We would like to think we did just that. The space looks incredible." — Paul Neidhard & Gus Munoz, Day of Service Co-Leaders
Many thanks to our generous sponsors: Richard E. Zacharoff & Associates, Maloney & Company, Skyline Engineering, Thornton Tomasetti, Duvernay + Brooks, Risk Strategies, Mountco Construction & Development, Sherwin Williams, MEGA, and Hirschen Singer & Epstein.
Essex Crossing is one of 10 projects chosen in the Urban Land Institute's ULI Americas Awards for Excellence. This awards program recognizes new projects in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors that exemplify ULI's goals of responsible land use and sustainable community development. The 10 North American winners will now compete against projects from Asia and Europe for the ULI Global Awards.
In 1967, Seward Park Area residents were relocated from their homes to make way for a supposed massive planned urban renewal project. The project never came to fruition. Instead, the site remained vacant for decades. 50 years later, the decades-old promise to revitalize this important corner of Manhattan’s Lower East Side was realized with the opening of the Goldin at Essex Crossing. The building is named after local resident and activist, Frances Goldin, who fought to bring new affordable housing to the neighborhood.
Designed by Dattner Architects, the Goldin at 175 Delancey was the first building to be completed in the larger 1.9 million square foot Essex Crossing development initiated through a public-private partnership. The 15-story, mixed-use building comprises of senior housing and a four-story podium with neighborhood-driven community services, including an ambulatory care center, local retail spaces, and facilities operated by non-profit social services providers, Grand Street Settlement and Henry Street Settlement.
Design Trust for Public Space honored Dattner Architects with a Public Space Leadership Award at the inaugural Benefit for Public Space. In bestowing the award, executive director Matthew Clarke, remarked that "Dattner Architects’ mission-driven approach towards civic architecture is frankly unparalleled in New York City, and perhaps the world." He continued: "When you start to look through [the firm's] catalogue, you are frankly shocked by the scale at which their work has shaped our collective civic life. From affordable housing, subway stations, infrastructure, public spaces, and libraries, I’m inspired and proud that New York can call them ours."
We are incredibly moved to be recognized by the Design Trust for our legacy of and commitment to designing spaces and places for all New Yorkers.
"The social equity, the environmental justice, and the quality of civic spaces we all seek requires creativity and rigor; it demands outreach, engagement, and collaboration. The work that the Design Trust does to accelerate the dialogue is invaluable.” — Kirsten Sibilia, Managing Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
"I look forward to our future civic accomplishments in creating striking new buildings, places, and communities." — Richard Dattner, Founding Principal, Dattner Architects
Credit: Andre Whitehead
Held on June 15, the Benefit for Public Space celebrated Dattner Architects and fellow award recipient, Alfred “Fred” Cerullo (CEO, Grand Central Partnership) with live music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a fundraising auction, and sunset views at the Tribeca Rooftop. During the awards ceremony, a tribute video including interviews with Dattner-clients Services for the UnderServed, Monadnock Development, and Project Renewal was shown.
"The impact of Dattner [Architects] on New York City is hard to calculate because, they have been active in every aspect of development from affordable housing to luxury housing, to public works, to parks and recreation. Their values that they bring to projects is probably as important as their skill level and aesthetic taste in design. We work with them because their value system aligns with ours: that transforming New York City neighborhoods is as important to them as winning an award. That value system is what differentiates them from their peers." — Kirk Goodrich, Partner, Monadnock Development
On June 22, Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich will be speaking at the AIANY Committee on the Environment (COTE)'s "Equity in Electrification: Electrification of Affordable Housing" panel at the Center for Architecture. The AIANY COTE's Equity and Electrification series explores issues of equity in the push to fully electrify New York City's building stock.
The passage of Local Law 154 means that design professionals in New York City will be tasked with providing effective solutions for electrifying buildings. This panel will provide a broad overview of policy and equity issues surrounding building electrification in New York City, along with a case study that tackles the technical opportunities and challenges of electrifying affordable housing.
Rachel will be joined on the panel by Michael Wadman (Phipps Houses) and Zoe Grossman (Bright Power) with Annie Carforo (WE ACT for Environmental Justice) as moderator.
Dattner Architects has been honored with an Anchin Award for Most Substantial Impact in Sustainability, alongside Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global. This award recognizes companies that have gone above and beyond expectations in regards to sustainability within the built environment, real estate, and construction industries—highlighting innovative project work across a portfolio that presents a thorough and robust strategy for sustainability practices for the long-term.
For decades, Dattner Architects has provided models for impactful civic architecture. From creating the first green schools guide for the largest public district in the US, to designing NYC’s first new subway station in 26 years, we are proving that good design is driven from social and environmental impact.
Our long-standing commitment to sustainable design is characterized by a flexible, project-specific approach that combines passive and low-tech solutions with more active systems, analysis, and controls. With each new commission, we seek to push beyond the conventional standards for sustainability, innovating high-performance approaches that work with the building program, site, and budget. We have become a leader in affordable housing Passive House design by proposing creative solutions in order to meet strict energy efficiency criteria for the building’s insulation, envelope performance, space heating and cooling, and primary energy demand within the building.
"We are honored to be recognized along with Jonathan Rose Companies and ECOR Global for our commitment to sustainability. Our growing experience and expertise in urban, multifamily affordable passive house projects is just a small part of what we can do to mitigate our impact on the built environment. As codes become more stringent and push towards all electric buildings, we hope that this becomes the norm, rather than the exception – but we are glad to be one of the pioneers in this space by proposing creative solutions that work within the existing multifamily design and construction framework. After all: isn’t that the goal, that all our projects are energy efficient and built to rigorous standards that allow for affordable electric heating and cooling while keeping occupant health in mind?" — Shefali Sanghvi AIA, Director of Sustainability
Dattner Architects joined Pennrose, RiseBoro Community Partnership, Mega Contracting, City and State officials, and partnering community leaders for the grand opening of 50 Penn — a new mixed-use, transit-oriented development providing access to high-quality, sustainable affordable and moderate-income housing and healthy food choices. 218 units are designed for family occupancy, 42 of which are dedicated to formerly homeless and elderly households. Three commercial spaces activate the ground floor, including a health-food grocery store developed through the FRESH program which promotes nutritious, affordable, and fresh food in underserved neighborhoods.
"The lasting relationship between Pennrose and Dattner is rooted in our organizations’ common missions of producing affordable homes with class-leading design for New Yorkers. Our work together at 50 Penn exemplifies how structural synergies between thoughtful architects and developers can result in superior placemaking of a building that is poised to be enjoyed in the Cypress Hills community for generations to come.” — Dylan Salmons, Regional Vice President, Pennrose
"The 50 Penn project is the result of a truly collaborative and innovative effort that could not have been accomplished without the development vision of Pennrose and RiseBoro, the construction acumen of Mega Contracting Group, and the technical expertise of the entire design team. The project’s mixed-use program is a model for redevelopment in high density urban environments with superior access to transit. However, this blessing of transit comes with both challenges above grade with the elevated J train along Fulton Street and the sub-terranean A/C lines cutting across the corner of the site. The technical and construction logistics challenges were many, but ably addressed and executed to result in a much-needed low-carbon, high-quality affordable housing building for 218 families." — John Woelfling AIA, Principal, Dattner Architects
"This project is an important marker of the East New York re-zoning, providing 218 new affordable apartments, local-scale retail spaces, and a grocery store for the Cypress Hills community. We are very proud of this building, as we focused on providing bright and airy units, a beautiful and contextual brick façade, and amenities that serve the tenants including a large, landscaped terrace. Solar panels on the roof and energy-saving features in the building are symbolic of Dattner Architects’ and Pennrose's commitment to a greener future for New York City." — Rem Bruhn AIA, Associate, Dattner Architects
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Scarsdale Public Library and Santaella Gardens have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Both projects will be honored at an awards gala on June 14 at The Manhattan Manor.
The Scarsdale Public Library project responds to the shifts in community needs, trends in library services, and changes in user preferences. Through a comprehensive programming and planning exercise, the space was redesigned, renovated, and expanded to fulfill the Library’s mission.
Built in 1951 and added to over time, the library required transformation to optimize utilization of the full facility, improve the library experience, and provide adaptable spaces that embraced new developments in technology. The design team incorporated a new “makerspace” for the community and explored options to allow a greater amount of flexibility at all levels of programming. While the flexible spaces and improved technological infrastructure are the highlights of the new library, the space also provides an expanded connection to the community it serves. Featuring an entrance plaza, a new cafe, and lobby that opens up to the library’s main collection area, daylight and views establish a strong connection from entry to exit.
“We are honored to receive this SARA award for the recent renovation and expansion of the Scarsdale Library. The project retains the best features of a beloved community building while radically rethinking it to become a more modern, versatile, and attractive space.” — Principal Daniel Heuberger AIA
Named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella, the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House residential development—providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Passive House design teaches us that the work has to be integrative and coordinated at every level to achieve this high bar for design and performance. Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involved our committed clients, Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the skills and Passive House experience of Monadnock Construction, and the entire design and consulting team. Santaella Gardens is a model for the high quality, high performance affordable housing New York City needs to transition to a clean energy economy and build social equity through comfortable, healthy homes." — Associate Principal Rachel Ehrlich AIA
"Our Santaella Gardens project addresses two of our most pressing items as a society: addressing Climate Change and the creation of Affordable Housing. The project's Passive House design creates a low carbon, high health building that can serve as a model to partially address health inequities that occur in our urban centers. Passive House is an integrated and complex project type to design and build. Much recognition should go to Phipps Houses and The Acacia Network for entrusting this project to our design team and to Monadnock Construction for delivering such a high performance building on an affordable housing budget." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
On March 9, Dattner Architects joined the Institute for Community Living (ICL), Mega Contracting Group, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Nevins Street Apartments.
Located in Downtown Brooklyn, Nevins Street Apartments reinvigorates a century-old building through a gut renovation and addition to provide affordable housing, supportive housing, and on-site supportive services including case management and mental health services. The historic site of 50 Nevins Street, with its new 10-story addition, now features 129 new apartments serving those in need. 78 are supportive units reserved for formerly homeless individuals, including formerly homeless veterans, individuals with histories of substance use, and people with serious mental health concerns, including young adults who have aged out of foster care.
"Dattner Architects has had the honor of collaborating with ICL and Mega Contracting Group to complete this bold repositioning of ICL's flagship facility as a modern affordable housing building in Downtown Brooklyn. The extensive renovations of the existing building will not only make the building fully accessible, but will also improve the energy performance of the building with efficient systems coupled with on-site renewable power generation. In addition to the renovation, the project was able to expand the building footprint and density of the project through a rezoning that required support from the NYC Department of City Planning and community partners. As the saying goes, "It takes a village..." — Principal John Woelfling AIA
"50 Nevins consists of the gut-rehabilitation of a historically significant century-old building, merged with a new, contemporary-looking addition—a nod to a facility’s present connecting with its past. Originally a YWCA, this building has had indeed a long history of offering housing, shelter, and support for low-income individuals. We are pleased to have worked with ICL to contribute to such an important legacy by providing new and much needed supportive and affordable housing. We trust that the result of our collective efforts is an environment that is welcoming, stimulating, and caring—and a building which will generate an overall sense of care, comfort, and satisfaction for its residents as well as a positive impact on the neighborhood at large." — Senior Associate Philippe Martelly AIA
Project Architect Brandon Wang, Designer Kathy Mu, and Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi will be speaking at this year’s LIVING FUTURE ‘22 (LF22) Conference.
Held from May 2-13, LF22 unites a community of deep-green thought leaders, practitioners, and healthy materials providers for inspiration and knowledge sharing of strategies to address racial inequities and injustices in our communities. The conference is split into 10 tracks: Just Future; Climate Justice; Ecological Restoration; Resilience; Policy; Zero Carbon; Health; Materials; Beauty + Biophilia; and Innovation in Ownership
Community Engagement and Climate Justice: Inspiring Architects to Engage
Date: May 3, 2022 at 5:30pm EST
Track: Climate Justice
In the fall of 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Dattner Architects prepared and facilitated a series of internal workshops studying climate justice and community engagement. Often, community engagement discussions center on development opportunities and when they should happen. At the time of the workshops, with everyone spending significantly more time confined in their own neighborhoods, we took this opportunity to study these areas in-depth and through the lens of a resident. By starting with this approach and folding in concepts of climate justice and the role of the architect, we developed a unique understanding of community engagement that allows for greater empathy for and connection to the communities with which we serve.
By reviewing these workshops, and emulating some of the techniques used, this session will explore innovative ways to engage with communities and ourselves as stewards of the built environment.
On Earth Day, Dattner Architects is pleased to announce the creation of a Director of Sustainability role at the firm, affirming our long-standing commitment to sustainability. This important new position will be filled by Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, a highly accomplished architect and knowledgeable advocate for environmental responsibility.
Shefali has over 15 years of experience working in affordable housing, with an emphasis on resiliency, occupant health and comfort, and energy efficiency. An expert on urban Passive House projects, she is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable. Shefali believes that it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
“With this timely announcement, Dattner Architects is emphasizing our commitment to incorporating sustainable design across our broad portfolio. We are confident that Shefali in her new role as Director of Sustainability will allow us to broadly and consistently apply our extensive knowledge about energy, healthy environments, and occupant comfort to benefit our clients and the buildings we design for them.
Shefali’s commitment to designing sustainable buildings utilizing the rigorous Passive House system and her more broad focus of leadership of our internal Sustainable Practice Group makes her an ideal person to guide the firm and the design profession towards a common goal of reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.” — Principal John Woelfling AIA, LEED AP, CPHT
As Director of Sustainability, Shefali will serve as a thought leader across Dattner Architects’ studios, and beyond, championing sustainability as integral to architecture. She will help establish the direction of our research and lead the exploration and application of sustainability in-house by facilitating knowledge sharing amongst project teams, firm leadership, and our professional development groups. Shefali will continue to serve as co-chair of the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group, established in 2012.
“Dattner Architects has a long-standing reputation for being a leader in urban sustainable design, and I am honored to be part of the next phase of our firm’s evolution. The creation of this role truly formalizes our commitment to sustainability and allows us to continue to push the bar for all of our projects, across all studios.
This is also a great opportunity for our office to continue to share and speak about our current ongoing research on energy usage, renewables, materials, indoor health, site ecology, and urban infrastructure—all through the lens of climate justice, social equity, and sustainability at large. The civic work Dattner does touches all aspects of our lives, especially here in NYC—and with the issuance of the latest IPCC report and current geo-political strife, it is even more important to ensure that all of our work continues to be as sustainable as possible” — Director of Sustainability Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Dattner Architects is pleased to announce that WSFSSH at West 108 is the recipient of an AIA New York State Excelsior Merit Award! Celebrating its eighth year, the Excelsior Awards program highlights the best in publicly funded buildings, outdoor areas, and public art across New York State.
WSFSSH at West 108 is sponsored and operated by one of New York City’s most respected non-profit affordable housing providers—West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH). Their vision was to create an integrated response to an urgent need for transitional, supportive, and family housing that promotes the dignity of each individual and enhances community.
"WSFSSH at West 108 is a very special project that provides transitional housing for homeless older adults, permanent supportive and affordable family housing, and an array of social services. The program includes a community health clinic and spaces for community activities. Varied heights, setbacks, and materials respond to the neighborhood context, while creating a distinctive identity for this sustainably designed building." — William Stein FAIA
The shelter and supportive / affordable housing programs are designed to be integrated with a single entry and reception desk, while also allowing the transitional program to have its own secure circulation system. The development provides 119 permanent supportive housing units, 80 affordable family apartments, and a 110-bed transitional shelter. On-site support services include case management, crisis intervention counseling, and medication and nutrition services.
The ground floor is organized around a “main street” that links recreation spaces and support services for residents, including lounges for each program, a dining room and commercial kitchen, community rooms, children’s playroom, and social service offices. Additional amenity spaces include a landscaped outdoor recreation area and 7th floor roof terrace. The dining room is accessible for community events. A lower level accommodates a primary care health clinic.
"WSFSSH at West 108th brings much needed affordable, supportive, and transitional housing to Manhattan Valley in a building that is respectful of neighborhood context, while also providing a safe, healthy, lively space for tenants. We are proud to have been a part of the team bringing this building online, and appreciative of this recognition of what the project brings to the community." — Shefali Sanghvi AIA
On April 8, 2022, Principal Gia Mainiero spoke at AIA’s Public Architects Symposium, Climate of Public Architecture. Held at AIA Headquarters in Washington, DC, the symposium brought together practitioners and AEC industry professionals to discuss the critical issues facing the profession and built environment.
The Public Architect has long served as a frontline mediator of the vision, scope, impact, and long-term viability of our essential community architecture. As the public discourse on infrastructure broadens to include the full spectrum of social services, we are at a key moment to examine the integration of essential architecture into communities, both for programs viewed as desirable and those met with resistance. The Public Architect must balance a multi-disciplinary process that is responsive to community context and demographics, but also to publicly funded capital and operating budgets.
Gia discussed how legislation, processes, and procurement strategies are upping the bar for public architecture in New York City, positioning public buildings at the forefront of sustainable and resilient design.
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Santaella Gardens is officially PHIUS+ 2015 Passive House certified!
Located in the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use residential development, providing workforce and affordable housing with retail and a community facility on the ground floor. The building relies on advanced, climate-specific design strategies to reduce energy use. The super‐insulated, virtually air‐tight building envelope includes thermally broken, high‐performance windows and advanced air sealing details to eliminate condensation and air exfiltration. The high‐performance envelope offers residents enhanced thermal comfort while lowering heating and cooling costs.
A continual supply of fresh, filtered air is provided to all apartments and common areas via Energy Recovery Ventilators, which continually exhaust stale air while recapturing energy from the exhaust air. Residents enjoy enhanced indoor air quality without opening windows, increasing indoor comfort by blocking noise and particulates from the elevated train and nearby Bronx River Parkway. Space conditioning for apartments and common areas is provided with air-source heat pumps, an all-electric solution that advances the electrification goals of New York City’s own Green New Deal, known as OneNYC 2050. These strategies enhance occupant comfort, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and yield immense energy savings, lowering the utility bills for the lifespan of the building.
Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels generate onsite renewable energy, with a total capacity of 162.7 kW. Energy‐efficient features include ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting with control sensors, and Energy Recovery Ventilation. These work together with the super-insulated building envelope to drive down the energy use intensity (EUI) to a projected site EUI of 20.40 kBTU/sqft/Yr.
On March 8, Dattner Architects joined Acacia Network, Phipps Houses, State and City officials, and partnering community leaders for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Santaella Gardens. The event coincided with International Women’s Day, as the development was named in honor of Justice Irma Vidal Santaella – the first Puerto Rican woman to serve as a Justice on the New York Supreme Court. The ceremony included remarks and participation from Justice Santaella’s family, including her daughter Ivette Santaella, Esq.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
Located in the Soundview area of the Bronx, Santaella Gardens is a new mixed-use Passive House development, providing urgently needed workforce and affordable housing. Adjacent to an elevated railway, the 12-story building has 249 apartments, a suite of residential amenities on the 11th floor, and ground floor uses including an afterschool program and community retail.
“Santaella Gardens revitalizes an underutilized lot with a lively, high-performance building that responds to two of the most urgent needs we face: the demand to build social equity and value by reinvesting in our communities and the urgent need to transition to a clean energy economy, shifting to a healthy, sustainable model for our communities and the environment.” — Rachel Ehrlich, Associate Principal, Dattner Architects
The building’s colorful accents were inspired by the famous doors and stucco façades of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico with their bright, contrasting colors. The strong horizontal expression of the window groupings and lively alternating colors can be perceived from all angles, to be enjoyed by pedestrians, subway riders, and travelers on the Bronx River Parkway. The color palette continues within the building creating a warm and vibrant home for these Bronx residents.
“Santaella Gardens has been a collaborative endeavor from the beginning. This teamwork involving Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network, the entire design team, and the skills of Monadnock Construction was necessary to achieve this high-performance building. We hope this type of high quality, low energy building becomes the norm and serves as an example of how these types of affordable, mixed-use buildings can be achieved.” — John Woelfling, Principal, Dattner Architects
The development’s design solutions provide a precedent in utilizing emerging building construction systems to address community health disparities. Projects such as this help to further the mission of many non-profit developers in giving their affordable housing tenants a high quality of life and healthy living environments needed to tackle larger social issues such as climate justice and housing affordability.
Credit: Argenis Apolinario
“Phipps Houses is proud of our 20+ year partnership with Dattner Architects. They bring absolute professionalism in both design and service that continues to impress us after all these years. Their design skill and expertise were critical for the development of Santaella Gardens, the first Passive House development for Phipps Houses and the Acacia Network. Dattner’s ability to work pragmatically with Phipps and our general contractor Monadnock Construction on both the technical details of Passive House and the difficult approvals process has been invaluable. We’re thrilled with the end result – a beautiful, extremely energy efficient building, providing desperately needed affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, including units set-aside for formerly homeless households. We look forward to working on more projects with Dattner.” — Michael Wadman, Vice President of Development, Phipps Houses
Senior Associate Shefali Sanghvi, Associate Alex Muller, Project Architect Pascale Baladi, and Architectural Designer Soumya Rao will be speaking at this year’s Monograph Section Cut conference. Section Cut is Monograph’s semi-annual conference for Practice Operations and Design Professionals across Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Engineering. The Spring/Summer 2022 edition is being held from March 8-10.
Using Data to Push the Envelope on Sustainability
March 8 at 3:00pm EST
Representing Dattner Architects’ Sustainable Practice Group (SPG), Shefali and Alex will explore how SPG gathers usable metrics to measure the efficacy of sustainability goals. Over the years, this research has led to white papers and primers on changing codes and local laws, new technologies, case studies on existing infrastructure, and more.
Dattner Architects: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategies
March 9 at 12:00pm EST
As part of Dattner Architects’ Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Pascale and Soumya will discuss the firm’s six areas of commitment which tackle internal and external actions devoted to upholding sound social values through our practice. New processes have been implemented to not only deepen our understanding of the communities we work in, but to continue to foster a firm culture that enables our staff to achieve their highest level of creativity and authenticity.
Principal Beth Greenberg, Associate Principal Ruth Ro, and Senior Associate Keith Engel will join industry leaders and peers at this year’s New York Build Expo on March 2-3 at the Javits Center.
Panel: Housing New York
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 11:00am
Speakers: Keith Engel (Dattner Architects); Wendi Shafran (FXCollaborative Architects); Arvind Sohoni (New York City Housing Authority); Ahmed Tigani (NYC Housing Preservation & Development); Matthew Rooney (MDG Design+Construction)
Panel: A New World of Working and Collaboration
Date & Time: March 2, 2022 at 12:00pm
Speakers: Beth Greenberg (Dattner Architects); Vivian Lee (Woods Bagot); Daniel Topping (NK Architects); Raymond LeChase (LeChase Construction); Kimle Nailer (National Association of Black Women in Construction); Camille Rimmer (Gilbane Building Company); Adam Glass (Advance2000)
Panel: Pushing Boundaries in Urban Architecture and Design
Date & Time: March 3, 2022 at 2:00pm
Speakers: Ruth Ro (Dattner Architects); Nicole McGlinn (Kohn Pedersen Fox); Jun Seong Ahn (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill); Carisima Koenig (Perkins Eastman); Bettina Zerza (ZERZA); Emily Weidenhof (NYC Department of Transport); David Harber (David Harber)
New York Build Expo is the largest construction and design show for New York and the Tri-State area. The show features 300+ top industry speakers across 11 tracks and AIA CES approved workshops, 250+ exhibitors, exclusive free-to-attend networking events including the Women in Construction and Diversity in Construction, New York’s Festival of Construction, and much more.
Register for free tickets: https://www.newyorkbuildexpo.com
Alafia has been recognized with a Merit Award in the Urban Design category of the 2022 AIA New York Design Awards! As part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative, this ambitious master plan creates a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
During the jury symposium, members of the jury commented on the multiple layers of residential and community benefit Alafia provides. They commended the sustainable green environment within and were particularly impressed with how much detail had been thought out and addressed – from stormwater to rising sea levels.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The project also includes a substantial amount of retail space and a major health clinic that will serve the residents as well as the greater south Brooklyn area. Alafia emphasizes the connections between economic and physical health through an ambitious urban agriculture program that will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Adjacent to Betts Creek and Jamaica Bay, the site abuts a coastal ecosystem of marshlands and maritime groves. The plan fully integrates long-term environmental resiliency. The campus will include over 6-acres of open space, including bioswales, farmland, and other measures to absorb water and control erosion. The project is expected to resist rising sea levels, 500-year storm events through the end of the century.
Dattner Architects is currently designing the first three buildings in the development.
All AIA New York Design Award winners are featured in an awards exhibition at the Center for Architecture through June 11.
In recognition of their demonstrated leadership, dedication to our firm and our values, and passion for civic architecture, Dattner Architects is proud to announce the promotions of our 12 new Associates and Senior Associates. Alex Muller, Jon King, Patrick McAffrey, and Wei Wang have been elevated to Associate. Our new Senior Associates are Brian Nesin, Daniella LaRocca, Earl Jones, Jen Switala, Mary Beth Lardaro, Philippe Martelly, Robert Drake, and Shefali Sanghvi.
ASSOCIATES
Alex Muller AIA, LEED AP understands the social impact of design and views each project as an opportunity to enhance urban life. His experience coordinating the design and construction of complex buildings, ranging from large government facilities and cultural structures to multi-family housing and adaptive reuse projects, informs his advocacy for environmentally sustainable architecture.
Jon King AIA, LEED AP applies a deep understanding of high performance building practices to his projects informed in part through continual research and collaboration with industry experts on subjects including thermal envelope assemblies and building systems. His ability to integrate and manage functionality and design goals results in built projects with enduring and sustainable value.
Formally trained in both architecture and product design, Patrick McAffrey AIA has a deep understanding of how finished projects at all scales can affect and influence end users. A passion for intelligent urbanism has led him to focus his work on infrastructure and transportation projects, which he believes have profound impact on the building fabric and urban lifestyles they support.
Wei Wang AIA, LEED AP BD+C believes the architect’s role goes beyond design and function; it also uplifts communities and fosters social equity. She has experience managing projects, from mixed-use high-rise residential developments to various types of commercial buildings. Passionate about building materials and research, Wei is active within the firm’s Sustainable Practice Group.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Brian Nesin AIA, LEED AP’s design interest encompasses vastly different scales, from regional planning to furniture design. His portfolio comprises a similar range, from master plans to intricate building details, for clients including government agencies, not-for-profits, and businesses. Brian’s experience with woodworking and design-build informs his exploration of the materiality of buildings.
Daniella LaRocca AIA has focused her career on designing urban infrastructure and transportation projects. Her attention to the technical resolution of complex ideas and experience with the construction administration phase of multiple projects has given her the expertise to develop buildable details, critical to maintaining a project’s design integrity.
As Digital Design Director, Earl Jones Assoc. AIA manages the firm’s advanced computing, 3-D modeling, and BIM implementation. He is passionate about exploring software applications to advance technical resolutions and collaboration across disciplines. His architectural training and experience working for both architecture and engineering firms allows him to create cohesive, efficient workflows that support design.
Jen Switala AIA believes that architecture evokes different responses in each individual, and that this results in a meaningful complexity to the urban realm. With a diverse background of project experience, Jen has designed affordable and supportive housing, commercial buildings, and comprehensive master plans. She leads Dattner Architects’ R&D Co-Lab, which is focused on examining vital issues confronting the built environment.
As Human Resources Director, Mary Beth Lardaro supports the firm’s civic mission by nurturing a workplace culture that prioritizes mentorship and professional development and inspires designers to do their best work.
She leads recruitment, policy development, benefits, compensation, and pay equity.
Philippe Martelly AIA, CPHC is deeply invested in understanding the human experience and social impact of healthy, sustainable, and well-conceived affordable housing. Through community awareness and sensible design tailored for a given site and neighborhood’s needs, Philippe believes that civic-oriented architects are in a unique position to help create quality spaces as well as nourishing environments where the users and their communities-at-large can proudly prosper.
Guided by a belief that data gathering should always precede design, Robert Drake AIA strives to provide clients and project teams with support based on critical analysis. His experience and comprehensive understanding of the construction process allows him to focus parties on the joint goals of quality, budget, and schedule.
Shefali Sanghvi AIA, LEED AP BD+C has a deep background in affordable housing. She is dedicated to designing buildings that are socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable and has become an expert on urban Passive House projects. Shefali believes it is the architect’s responsibility to respect the power that we hold on the built environment by designing spaces that are welcoming to all members of society.
Hegeman Avenue Apartments has been recognized with a 2021 Residential Building Award from the Queens & Bronx Building Association (QBBA). Built by Galaxy G. C. Group, Hegeman Avenue was designed by Dattner Architects and developed by CAMBA Housing Ventures in partnership with NYC Housing Preservation & Development’s Supportive Housing Loan Program, New York State’s Homes & Community Renewal Program and Homeless Housing Assistance Program.
Hegeman Avenue is a new affordable and supportive housing development in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. The building was designed to support the health, wellness, and stability of its residents. Apartments are light, bright, and airy with high quality finishes and appliances. A large garden, front and rear courtyards, a community room with kitchen, library/computer room, and on-site social services are available for all tenants.
“Dattner is thrilled to be part of the QBBA winning team with Galaxy and CAMBA Housing Ventures to create this unique affordable supportive housing project. Hegeman Avenue presented a new building opportunity to provide quality, energy-efficient and sustainable design to positively impact not only the individuals who live there but the neighborhood at large. Congratulations to the entire team. We look forward to the next collaboration!” — Principal Catherine Selby
Dattner Architects is proud to announce that Alafia and Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center have won design awards from the Society of American Registered Architects – New York Council (SARA NY)! Held at the TWA Hotel on October 26, the SARA NY Design Awards gala celebrated winners from 2020 and 2021.
Honored with a Design Award of Merit in the Urban Design category, Alafia is part of New York State’s Vital Brooklyn initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. The plan invests $1.4 Billion for community-based healthcare, affordable housing, and open-space and other programming. Alafia will be the largest development within the Vital Brooklyn initiative.
Situated on a 28-acre site at the edge of New York City, Alafia is an ambitious master plan created through a public-private partnership that includes the state and the city; non-profit, community, and for-profit developers; and local designers and planners. The master plan transforms a decommissioned state psychiatric hospital into a wellness-oriented resilient urban development designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in a historically underserved area.
Creating a community for approximately 7,500 people, the new 2,400-unit development is centered around a series of programmed open spaces that break down the scale, foster a sense of ownership and belonging, and encourage healthy activities and neighborly interaction. The housing includes affordable and supportive units, providing homes for formerly homeless, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and seniors. An ambitious urban agriculture program will employ local residents and includes nearly 2-acres of outdoor growing space, a robust indoor farming operation, and facilities for “Meals on Wheels” food prep, distribution, and open-air markets.
Selected for a Design Award of Merit in the Educational category, the Charles F. Murphy Early Childhood Development Center is an iconic symbol of Coney Island’s post-Hurricane Sandy revitalization. The new preschool provides sought-after education for local children and has become a vital neighborhood resource.
The school serves 85 children, fostering social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Their Montessori philosophy that the most important learning occurs outside of the classroom became a vital design driver. Instructional spaces are organized around play roof terraces, blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors. The landscaping of these play roofs is inspired by Coney Island’s sand dunes and native grasses—in essence, a scaled down version of the barrier beach ecology, incorporating nature into children’s everyday learning. Light-filled classrooms with expansive windows strengthen their relationship to the play roofs; clustered into “neighborhoods,” a sense of safety and intimacy is reinforced throughout.
As part of its community-focused mission, the ground floor is designed for shared use. A daylit, double-height multipurpose space is used as a gym by children during the day and for community events afterhours. The expansive lobby serves as a pre-function space, showcasing artwork by children as well as local artists.
