Built on the site of a former church in the Bronx, this LEED Gold, 117,290 sq ft, 112-unit building is a mix of supportive and affordable housing. The design was inspired by the notion that a house of worship is a beacon of light in its community. From that idea came 12 floors of large, fully glazed elevator lobbies which provide spectacular views by day and become a glowing tower at night.
Rock formations uncovered during construction were incorporated into the landscape providing a visual association with the park across the street and a connection to the area’s natural environment. They also supply an organic complement to the straight lines and right angles of the building that rises above. Decking extends out over the rocks to a look-out point, where the topography slopes downward toward the west revealing more views. The bell and stones from the original church which are placed throughout the landscaping, celebrate the site’s history.
The resiliency and sustainability measures, quality building materials, shared views of the city, evening light for the community, and elements tying to the property’s past, exemplify the inclusivity and care that underlies this work. The project shows what affordable housing can be, both for its residents and the surrounding neighborhood. It is a prime example of the alternative ways that religious institutions can serve their communities and highlights how design can be an expression of that mission in this case, the call to help those most in need.
St Augustine Terrace from Magnusson Architecture/Planning on Vimeo.
All the information about how to enter the 2020 WAN Awards is here.
We are very happy to offer support so please don’t hesitate to email Georgia, WAN Awards Event Coordinator with any questions at Georgia.Baily@haymarket.com.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WAN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding projects, take a look at the winners from last year here.