Dattner Architects joined MDG Design & Construction, Smith & Henzy Advisory Group, The New York Foundling, City and State officials, and local community partners for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Vital Brookdale, a new mixed-use Passive House development in Brooklyn.
“Vital Brookdale is a superb example of affordable, multifamily passive house housing in NYC. The unique site created some challenges, but the design and construction teams worked together to create a beautiful project. This building integrates well into the community and furthers many of the State’s goals in the Vital Brooklyn initiative. We are honored to be part of this team and excited to celebrate this milestone.” — Shefali Sanghvi, Director of Sustainability
Vital Brookdale is the first building to be completed under New York State’s Vital Brooklyn Initiative—an ongoing community development program for underserved neighborhoods in Central Brooklyn. An exemplary model of affordable Passive House and community-based housing with healthcare, Vital Brookdale brings 160 units of affordable housing and 25,000 square feet of health-focused community space to the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. Alongside deeply affordable apartments, Vital Brookdale provides resources that promote health and wellness, job training, outdoor green space, and opportunities for recreation, supporting residents and the surrounding community.
Tenants have access to a second floor terrace, and front and rear-courtyards, which includes landscaping, a dog run, play area as well as passive recreation and seating areas. Additional amenities include complimentary building-wide wireless-internet access, a multi-purpose community room, game room, library/co-working space, fitness room, laundry room, cold-storage locker and package rooms, and a bike storage room. This Passive House project has a 100kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, green roof, high-performance mechanical systems, insulation and windows, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and several other energy-efficient measures to ensure the comfort and affordability for residents as well as sustainability of the building.
