We designed a new four-story 5,400 sf apartment building on a city-owned vacant lot. With a very modest construction budget of under $250/sf, we planned well proportioned living spaces and fully equipped kitchens with Energy Star appliances. Exposed concrete and bamboo flooring give the interiors a warm and contemporary look. At the exterior, zinc rain screen panels, bluestone trim, stucco, and brick complement the neighborhood’s rich texture, while the building’s energy consumption is reduced by the installation of a high-albedo roof and individual thermostats in each apartment.
The completed HPD-funded project resourcefully integrates design features commonly found in more expensive developments with Harlem’s need for mixed income housing.