1760 Third Avenue was originally built in 1974, as the Florence Nightingale Nursing Home. It was designed in the Brutalist style by William N. Breger Associates in what the AIA Guide to New York City (Fifth Edition) described as “a flamboyant massing of brick.” In 2008 it was rehabbed to serve as a college dorm – 15 years later it was purchased by our clients, Breaking Ground, for 434 supportive and affordable homes. Earlier today construction formally began.
A building with such a strong outward identity needed to be approached with respect as we embarked upon the substantial rehab. Our design approach for the public and amenity spaces was framed by consideration of the building’s massing and materiality. The new interiors recall the Brutalist style, while infusing it with a more contemporary and sustainable take; we explored design cues using strong geometric forms, carved ‘portal’ spaces and volumes, clean lines, modular elements, and patterns focusing on repetition and texture.
The exterior landscaped area was redesigned to redefine the street edge and knit together disparate existing exterior program elements within the heavy building setback. We introduced green space along the public right of way, clarified entry circulation and wayfinding, and created a transitional zone between the street and the residential entry while creating exterior amenity space for passive recreation for the residents.
