L&M Development Partners, a leader in affordable housing development, recently achieved Passive House certification for the Alafia Phase 1 C1/C2 building in East New York, Brooklyn. This significant milestone underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable building practices and providing high-quality, energy-efficient homes for New Yorkers.
Alafia Phase 1: A Model for Sustainable Affordable Housing
The Alafia Phase 1 C1/C2 building, a 452-unit affordable housing development, successfully passed the rigorous Passive House air test. This test, conducted by pressurizing and depressurizing the 390,000-square-foot structure, measures air leakage and confirms the building’s airtight construction. The building significantly exceeded the required airtightness levels, ensuring future residents will benefit from the numerous advantages of Passive House design.
These benefits include:
- Superior Indoor Air Quality: Passive House buildings utilize continuous mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, providing a constant supply of fresh, filtered air.
- Thermal Comfort: Consistent temperatures are maintained year-round, eliminating drafts and cold spots.
- Energy Efficiency: Significantly reduced energy consumption leads to lower utility bills for residents and a smaller carbon footprint.
- Quiet Living Environment: The airtight construction minimizes noise pollution from outside sources.
Collaboration and Partnerships Key to Alafia’s Success
L&M Development Partners collaborated with several key partners on the Alafia project, including:
- Services for the UnderServed: A non-profit organization dedicated to providing housing and support services to vulnerable populations.
- Dattner Architects: The architectural firm responsible for the design of the Alafia buildings. Their expertise in sustainable design principles was instrumental in achieving Passive House certification.
- SCAPE Landscape Architecture DPC: The landscape architecture firm that designed the outdoor spaces for Alafia.
The Alafia C1/C2 building also recently passed a construction inspection by the New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB). Concurrently, the 128-unit Alafia C3 building, constructed by project partner Apex Building Group, Inc., also received DOB approval.
Alafia: Transforming East New York’s Housing Landscape
The Alafia project represents a significant revitalization effort in East New York, transforming the former Brooklyn Developmental Center site into 2,400 affordable and supportive housing units. This ambitious undertaking will provide much-needed housing options for a wide range of income levels. Alafia expands L&M Development Partners’ impressive portfolio of Passive House-certified properties, which includes Sendero Verde in Harlem – the largest affordable Passive House project in the United States. The successful completion of the Alafia Phase 1 buildings solidifies L&M Development Partners’ position as a leader in sustainable and affordable housing development. Their commitment to Passive House principles demonstrates a dedication to creating healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes for New York communities.
