Via Verde is an affordable, sustainable residential development providing healthy, urban living in the South Bronx. The winning entry in the international New Housing New York Legacy Competition, sponsored by New York City HPD, AIA New York, NYSERDA, and Enterprise Community Partners, it reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing. 222 apartments are arranged in three distinct building types—a 20-story tower at the north end of the site, a stepped six to 13-story mid-rise duplex apartment component in the middle, and two to four-story townhouses to the south.The building takes the form of a “tendril” rising from grade to the tower, enclosing the courtyard and emphasizing a relationship to the natural world. A dynamic garden serves as the organizing element for the community. The ground level courtyard spirals upward through a series of programmed, south-facing roof gardens, creating a promenade for residents. The top floor of the tower contains a multi-purpose community room with access to a terrace and spectacular views. The multi-functional gardens create opportunities for active planting, fruit and vegetable cultivation, recreation and social gathering, while providing added benefits of storm water control and enhanced insulation. The ground floor features retail, a community health center, and live-work units, creating a lively street presence. The award-winning design is inspired by the integration of nature and city. At the heart of the project is a dynamic garden and series of green roofs that serve as the organizing architectural element and identity for the community. As the building steps up from 3-story townhouses at the south to a 20-story tower at the north, there are a series of green roofs and south facing solar panels. The facade features aluminum, cement, and wood panels with panoramic windows, sunshades, and courtyard balconies. Developed by Phipps Houses and Jonathan Rose Companies with Dattner Architects and Grimshaw, Via Verde was the winning response to the New Housing New York (NHNY) Legacy Competition sponsored by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY). The innovative design represents the future of high quality, affordable, and sustainable housing.
