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Bronx Pro Passive House Portfolio

Market: Affordable Housing
Type: Residential
Location: Bronx, NY
Developer / Owner: Bronx Pro Group
Architect: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects
Building Size: 3 buildings totaling 259,296 SF
Project Services: Green Building Certification Services
Certifications: PHIUS + 2015, LEEDv4 for Homes, and Enterprise Green Communities
Incentive Programs: NYSERDA New Construction Program

Project Background:

At Bronx Pro, their mission is simple—that everyone, regardless of geography, circumstances, and income, deserves access to high quality affordable housing that is sustainable and fosters a thriving community. Their commitment is reflected in their ambition to design and construct to the rigorous Passive House standard. The following three projects highlight a unique, replicable, and affordable Passive House design applied at scales from small to large.

  • 2126 Mapes Avenue: Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities; 33,738 SF; 6 stories; 30 apartments. Exclusively for individuals and families between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
  • 4697 Third Avenue: Passive House and Enterprise Green Communities; 62,822 SF; 8 stories; 53 apartments. The majority of these units will be reserved for individuals and families at a maximum of 60% AMI.
  • Melrose North: Passive House and LEED Gold; 162,750 SF; 14 stories; 171 apartments. Joint effort from Bronx Pro and Services for the UnderServed. 60% of the apartments will be set aside for individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health or substance abuse issues, as well as individuals and families who have been victims of domestic violence.

All three projects have implemented the same system design for heating and cooling. The buildings are cooled with small capacity window AC units and heated with hydronic baseboards. This approach provides a simple way to split heating and cooling bills between owner and tenant.

Project Services:

Steven Winter Associates, Inc. is providing consulting and verification services to meet the requirements of the Passive House, LEEDv4 for Homes, and Enterprise Green Communities programs.

Through rigorous research, development, and testing with both Steven Winter Associates and Intus Windows, the project team developed an airtight, permanently installed window mounted AC system. During the heating season, the AC unit can be closed-off and thermally isolated from the interior, eliminating any thermal comfort, air infiltration, and durability issues typically associated with these units.

Primary Energy Conservation Measures:

  • Solar photovoltaics (PV)
  • Optimized hydronic heating
  • Unique window design to provide unitized air conditioning
  • Energy recovery ventilation

Read more about SWA’s Green Building Certification Services

Awards: