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Via Verde—The Green Way is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the New Housing New York Legacy Competition, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing.

Via Verde—The Green Way is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the New Housing New York Legacy Competition, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing.

"This project ‘breaks the box’ in a lot of ways... I am hoping to see many future projects take lessons from this one, especially in its ability to mix affordable and market-rate housing. We hope to see its progeny in both its social and its design goals. This one breaks new ground.”
— Hillary Brown FAIA, LEED AP, Juror, 2015 AIANY COTE Awards
A Ribbon of Green
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A ribbon of green is the organizing architectural element of Via Verde.
A ribbon of green is the organizing architectural element of Via Verde.
A ribbon of green is the organizing architectural element of Via Verde.
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From the apex of the 20-story tower to the street level courtyard, Via Verde offers interactive green spaces for a variety of uses.
From the apex of the 20-story tower to the street level courtyard, Via Verde offers interactive green spaces for a variety of uses.
From the apex of the 20-story tower to the street level courtyard, Via Verde offers interactive green spaces for a variety of uses.
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The green terraces also serve an environmental purpose by soaking up rainwater and reducing solar heat gain.
The green terraces also serve an environmental purpose by soaking up rainwater and reducing solar heat gain.
The green terraces also serve an environmental purpose by soaking up rainwater and reducing solar heat gain.
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At the top of the courtyard amphitheater, the first terrace includes a conifer forest.
At the top of the courtyard amphitheater, the first terrace includes a conifer forest.
At the top of the courtyard amphitheater, the first terrace includes a conifer forest.
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The next level up is an apple orchard.
The next level up is an apple orchard.
The next level up is an apple orchard.
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Residents can plant their own vegetables in raised beds of the community garden. The next levels include a fitness garden, sedum "wave gardens," and a dining terrace.
Residents can plant their own vegetables in raised beds of the community garden. The next levels include a fitness garden, sedum "wave gardens," and a dining terrace.
Residents can plant their own vegetables in raised beds of the community garden. The next levels include a fitness garden, sedum "wave gardens," and a dining terrace.
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Residential Units

Apartments are arranged in three distinct building types—a 20-story tower at the north end of the site, a 6- to 13-story mid-rise duplex apartment component, and 2- to 4-story townhouses to the south around a series of gardens. The various apartments are flexible in layout based on a resident’s needs.

Apartments are arranged in three distinct building types—a 20-story tower at the north end of the site, a 6- to 13-story mid-rise duplex apartment component, and 2- to 4-story townhouses to the south around a series of gardens. The various apartments are flexible in layout based on a resident’s needs.

Amenities for All

Social equity was a prime consideration during the programming of the project, turning over the most desirable spaces to the whole residential population rather than a select few. The central courtyard includes a playground and amphitheater. Residents grow their own vegetables in the roof garden. In place of private penthouses, the highest floor holds a community room and terrace open to all residents.

Social equity was a prime consideration during the programming of the project, turning over the most desirable spaces to the whole residential population rather than a select few. The central courtyard includes a playground and amphitheater. Residents grow their own vegetables in the roof garden. In place of private penthouses, the highest floor holds a community room and terrace open to all residents.

Social sustainability is key, offering residents opportunities for interaction, exercise, and play that reinforce a sense of community and vitality and align with New York City’s Active Design Guidelines. When moving in, a ‘Living Green Guide’ is given to each resident with information on how to promote energy optimization and healthy living, engaging residents in ways that will further improve the project’s performance while simultaneously enhancing urban life.

Social sustainability is key, offering residents opportunities for interaction, exercise, and play that reinforce a sense of community and vitality and align with New York City’s Active Design Guidelines. When moving in, a ‘Living Green Guide’ is given to each resident with information on how to promote energy optimization and healthy living, engaging residents in ways that will further improve the project’s performance while simultaneously enhancing urban life.

Sustainability and longevity were key drivers at Via Verde, enabling the project to become a stable precedent and archetype for future subsidized housing in New York. Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, the project was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66 kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieved LEED NC Gold certification.

Sustainability and longevity were key drivers at Via Verde, enabling the project to become a stable precedent and archetype for future subsidized housing in New York. Using standard, cost-effective structural systems and a prefabricated, high-performance rain screen, the project was able to achieve lofty goals within its strict budget. Its 66 kW building-integrated photovoltaic system, onsite cogeneration, green roof, community vegetable gardens, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting and drought tolerant vegetation helped the complex achieved LEED NC Gold certification.

Location
Bronx, NY
Completion
2012
Clients
The Phipps Houses Group
Jonathan Rose Companies
Collaborator
Grimshaw Architects
Recognition
AIA—Housing Award
AIA—HUD Secretary’s Award
AIA NY—Andrew J. Thomas Housing Award
AIA NY—COTE Award for Multifamily
SARA NY—Sustainability in Design Award
Urban Land Institute—Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Models of Excellence Award
Urban Land Institute—Global Award for Excellence
LEED Gold
View Project Facts
Location
Bronx, NY
Completion
2012
Clients
The Phipps Houses Group
Jonathan Rose Companies
Collaborator
Grimshaw Architects
Recognition
AIA—Housing Award
AIA—HUD Secretary’s Award
AIA NY—Andrew J. Thomas Housing Award
AIA NY—COTE Award for Multifamily
SARA NY—Sustainability in Design Award
Urban Land Institute—Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Models of Excellence Award
Urban Land Institute—Global Award for Excellence
LEED Gold
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