Think! awarded in NYSERDA Buildings of Excellence Round 4
Think! is proud to announce that the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Plaza project in Harlem, New York has been awarded in Round 4 of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Buildings of Excellence, winning the distinguished project award and a $1 million development grant. The program rewards the design, construction and operation of clean, resilient and carbon neutral-ready multifamily buildings.
Designed for the Malcolm Shabazz Mosque Development Team and Procida Companies, the project includes 109 units of affordable housing across two buildings, a central landscaped garden for the residents, and provides an indoor home for the landmark, currently open air, seasonal Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market; an iconic destination in Harlem.
The new market place will function as a local business incubator and showcases West African crafts, traditional clothing, goods and food. The market hall which spans West 116th Street to West 115th Street will act as a pedestrian arcade at street level between two city blocks, and will create a bustling ‘spine’ that activates and provides connectivity in the neighborhood. The two new 9 story buildings above the market will offer homes that conform to the City’s Extremely Low and Low‐Income Affordability (ELLA) criteria.
Think! is collaborating with the MEP and sustainability team at Ettinger Engineering on mechanical innovations including newly efficient airtight packaged terminal heat pump technology utilizing low global warming refrigerants. Healthy comfortable spaces provide co-benefits for the residents through fresh filtered air, corridors and common areas filled with daylight, quiet spaces, and outdoor recreation. The building’s electrical requirements will be supplemented by rooftop photo voltaic arrays.
The project will also implement Passive House design principles which increase energy efficiency up to 90% for heating energy and 75% in overall energy in comparison to traditional buildings. The choice of building materials will reduce embodied carbon by approximately 10% through the use of recycled brick façades. The energy and sustainability performance of the building will meet Energy Star, Enterprise Green Communities, Indoor airPLUS & Fitwel certifications.
The main West 116 Street entry is articulated by a grand 16 foot high glass art wall that will act as a beacon to identify the market. It will be commissioned to a culturally relevant artist or collaborative. The aim is to create an iconic piece that will continue to celebrate and elevate the landmark market and become a meaningful legacy in the community.
With today’s climate urgency, The Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Plaza project strives to address the most urgent imperatives by providing social justice, equity, resilience, and healthy environments. It will provide a home to the neediest and a year-round bustling urban gathering place for an iconic and important cultural asset, the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market.
