We partnered with The Bridge and NYS HCR to design a new 49,000 SF, 8-story, 65 unit building providing supportive and affordable housing for adults experiencing homelessness including individuals with serious mental illness and frail/disabled seniors, and low-income community seniors. Located on a historically industrial block in Crotona Park East, Bronx, the building is thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming, human-scale home.

To create the impression of a cluster of smaller buildings, the design features setbacks on the 7th and 8th floors, along with three textured masonry volumes that break down the overall mass. At street level, a covered front porch with seating and landscaping establishes a secure, semi-public gathering space. A large window wall along the back of the porch connects to the glazed entrance vestibule and lobby, creating a continuous sightline from the front yard through the building to the rear yard, enhancing the sense of openness.

The daylit lobby serves as a social hub, with a built-in seating island with views to the porch, staff desk, mailbox area, elevators, and community room with warming pantry. The community room’s glass entry enhances openness and invites residents in, while views of the landscaped rear yard from within the room encourage a connection to nature. The laundry room provides direct access to the rear yard’s walking path, which is furnished with seating. The social services office suite is strategically placed across from the community room, adjacent to the lobby, ensuring accessibility while maintaining privacy for clients. On the 8th floor, a south-facing terrace offers additional outdoor space for horticultural therapy.

The fully electric building meets Enterprise Green Communities 2015 and features extensive green roofing for stormwater management, solar PV panels to offset energy usage, and a gas-fired generator to guarantee reliable access to essential services.