Affordable Housing Finance’s (AHF) annual Readers’ Choice Awards’ Finalists have been announced. Each of the finalists is a leader in providing much-needed affordable housing across the country and were selected based on the impact they will have on residents, creative and sustainable design solutions, and innovative financing. Bright Power is proud to share that three projects in which we are a member of the design team have been selected as finalists: MLK Plaza, St. Augustine Terrace, and Stonewall House.
We wish all finalists luck as we enter the voting period. AHF subscribers can vote via the AHF website.
MLK Plaza
MLK Plaza, developed by Radson Development and designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP), is a 12-story affordable housing building in the Bronx and is one of the first buildings completed under the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program. It provides 167-units of affordable housing available to individuals, 33 of which are reserved for formerly homeless households.
The building received LEED Platinum Certification and ENERGY STAR Certification. It also has a 722 square foot community room and a green roof. Bright Power provided enhanced commissioning, NYSERDA New Construction Program partner services, ENERGY STAR certification services, and LEED Platinum certification services.
“MLK Plaza is an amenity-rich, technologically advanced, energy efficient, active lifestyle building that is 100% affordable. Radson Development is proud to bring this state of the art building to Mott Haven, and we are grateful to all our partners that helped make this dream a reality.”
– Dan Rad, Principal of Radson Development
“MLK Plaza is a shining example of beautiful, sustainable affordable housing. Radson Development and MAP created a highly efficient building with aesthetics that rival luxury properties. Bright Power is proud to have provided energy efficiency and sustainability services throughout the project.”
– Andrea Mancino, Executive Vice President, New York, Bright Power
You can read more about MLK Plaza on AHF’s website.
St. Augustine Terrace
The Association of New York Catholic Homes goes well beyond simply building to code, bringing energy efficiency and quality housing to low-income residents of the Bronx with St. Augustine Terrace, designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP). One of the more prominent high-performance features of the building is the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and cooling systems, reducing air infiltration and costs while increasing in-unit space. VRFs generate strong operational savings compared to traditional PTAC systems, providing the long-term impact that often outweighs their initial costs.
This affordable and supportive housing building integrates an aesthetically pleasing 48.8 kW solar PV system into the design, which will help maintain low operating costs and achieve LEED Certification. The solar energy system is arranged in two ways: one solar array is a pergola system on top of the roof, while the other is located on the building’s vertical façade. The entire system is projected to offset 55,555 kWh in the first year of operation.
Bright Power provided solar design and installation for the 48 kW solar PV array, commissioning, NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program partner services, and LEED certification consulting.
“St. Augustine Terrace is a beacon of sustainability in the Bronx. With its prominent solar PV array—both on top of the roof and on the vertical façade—it is a clear statement to residents and the community that sustainability matters. Designing and installing the vertical wall portion of the solar array during the construction phase was quite complex, and I’m especially proud to have worked with the Association of New York Catholic Homes and MAP on this impactful project.”
– Evan Kaplan, Director of On-Site Generation Consulting
You can read more about St. Augustine Terrace on AHF’s website.
Stonewall House
Stonewall House, formerly known as Ingersoll Senior Residences, is the first LGBT-friendly, affordable senior housing in New York State. Developed by BFC Partners and SAGE and designed by Marvel Architects, Stonewall House will be sustainable, comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable spaces that also keep operating costs low, ensuring long-term affordability.
Bright Power is helping to ensure long-term sustainability by providing Enterprise Green Communities Certification services and commissioning.
“I’m proud that we can deliver energy efficiency to a diverse array of clients and populations across the City. We’re able to give residents high quality, healthy places to live, while at the same time minimizing environmental impact and keeping operating costs low. We look forward to working on more projects with BFC Partners and SAGE.”
– Jeffrey Perlman, CEO, President & Founder, Bright Power
You can read more about Stonewall House on AHF’s website.