Case Study: Via Verde
Project Highlights
Project Highlights
Via Verde is 300,000 square foot urban infill project. Developed by Jonathan Rose Companies and Phipps Houses, Via Verde includes a 66 kW building-integrated solar PV system, onsite co-generation, green roof, community vegetable gardens, natural daylighting and cross-ventilation, green interior finishes, rainwater harvesting, and drought-tolerant vegetation.
Bright Power was an integral part of Via Verde’s design team providing expert consultation in energy efficiency, solar energy, and green building construction. Through our services, the building achieved ENERGY STAR certification and a LEED Gold rating. Several years after completion, Bright Power was brought in to design and install an 18 kW battery storage system.
The building features one of the most innovative building integrated photovoltaic systems in New York City, with dramatic cascading solar wall and lofted solar canopy. The project set a new standard for green affordable housing in NYC.
Bright Power was an integral part of Via Verde’s design team providing expert consultation in energy efficiency, solar energy, and green building construction. Through our services, the building achieved ENERGY STAR certification and a LEED Gold rating. Several years after completion, Bright Power was brought in to design and install an 18 kW battery storage system.
The building features one of the most innovative building integrated photovoltaic systems in New York City, with dramatic cascading solar wall and lofted solar canopy. The project set a new standard for green affordable housing in NYC.
Market Type
Multifamily Affordable & Cooperative
Location
Bronx, NY
Developers
Jonathan Rose Companies & Phipps Houses
Architects
Dattner Architects & Grimshaw
130,000 Lbs
CO2 offset per year
1,500 trees
Grown over 10 years to sequester Carbon
12 Passenger Vehicles
Taken off the road for one year
Work Completed
Work Completed
- Built an energy model to meet Green Communities Criteria (EGC), LEED, & ASHRAE requirements
- Recommended design changes to improve energy performance
- Provided savings analysis for a range of energy conservation measures: Condensing boilers, heat recovery ventilation, efficient lighting, increased insulation, high-performance windows, solar thermal & solar PV
- Created energy criteria for sizing of onsite co-generation
- Designed and modeled performance of a 66 kW solar PV system
- Coordinated Via Verde’s participation in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Multifamily Performance Program to obtain incentives
- Facilitated integrated design across the design team to maximize sustainability & LEED Gold credits
- Coordinated LEED documentation throughout project design and construction to ensure LEED Gold Certification
- 18 kW Battery Storage Design & Installation
Awards
Awards
- Civic Trust Award 2015
- American Institute of Architects, Multifamily Housing Award 2013
- Society of American Registered Architects NY, Sustainability in Design Award 2013
- Urban Land Institute, Global Awards for Excellence, Winner 2013
- American Institute of Architects/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary’s
- Housing and Community Design Award, Excellence in Affordable Housing Design 2013
- American Society of Landscape Architects (NY Chapter), Honor Award 2013
- The Bruner Foundation Inc., Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence, Silver Medal 2013
- Urban Land Institute Terwilliger Center for Housing, Jack Kemp Workforce Housing Models of
- Excellence Award 2012
- American Institute of Architects New York, Andrew J. Thomas Housing Award 2012
- New York City Brownfield Partnership, Big Apple Brownfield Green Building Award 2012
- Society for Marketing Professional Services-NY, Industry Award 2012
“When you’re designing a new building, the possibilities are endless. We needed someone with a depth of knowledge in sustainable technology and design that could steer us toward the most practical and impactful solutions…the solar system not only contributes to overall efficiency, it also serves as a year-round reminder to our residents that they are a part of a healthy, sustainable community.”
