GREEN HARLEM: UPTOWN PASSIVE HOUSING

Harlem Bespoke: As the city's populations grows, being green and sustainable has been a major concern in many communities on the local, industrial or commercial levels.  Green Harlem is a new feature on Harlem Bespoke which will explore various options, plans and main users of the initiative for a more sustainable focus on how we live.  

Manhattan's first passive building went up back in 2016 in Hamilton Heights at 542 West 143rd Street but most people do not have understanding of this energy efficient architectural design.  So what is a passive building?  The concept is relatively new and the first house was built in Europe in 1990 which was engineered to us use very little man-made energy and relied on nature to provide the bulk of heating and cooling.  How the building absorbs solar energy by facing the sun is the biggest part of the concept but also designing the residence to circulate ambient cool temperatures is part of the overall engineering.

This is all done through active design which basically takes count of a buildings natural ability to take in the elements outside and use heavily insulated materials to keep those temperatures within.  Windows are even insulated to keep this goal in mind and occupants are educated to not leave portals open for the escape of the naturally heated or cool air defeats the purpose of the design.  Some air-circulating mechanical infrastructure is also needed to purify and ventilate the building but the amount of energy used is minimal in comparison to other homes.  Basically 75 to 95 percent less energy usage than the majority of new constructions out there.

Passive buildings are not off the grid but are a way of developers to build more energy efficient buildings which also educates the residents on behavioral patterns to do the same. Usually smaller homes have been easier to design to meet all of the regulatory demands but Harlem has one of the first bigger buildings to be built in the city but there is more to come.  A very ambitious 1691 Madison Avenue has been planned for East Harlem and the 37-story tower will be the largest in the nation with 655 affordable rental units when finished.  In the meantime, the first uptown passive condo building will actually be ready soon at 11 West 126th Street which will help eco-conscience buyers make the greener choice: LINK

HarlemBespoke.com 2019