AD&V Honored in NYC for First Mixed-Income Housing Project in Puerto Rico
Written By AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
Renaissance Square (previously known as Las Gladiolas Community Development) wins Multi-Housing News Excellence Gold Award
affordable housing development
We are thrilled to announce that Multi-Housing News has honored our firm with the Gold Excellence Award in the “Unbuilt: Affordable” category for the design and conceptualization of Renaissance Square, an eco-conscious, mixed-income housing development that combines intelligent, energy-saving design with aesthetics and function.In a recent event hosted by Multi-Housing News and Commercial Property Executive in New York City, AD&V was acknowledged for its application of traditional architecture, one that is both aesthetically pleasing and respectful of its surroundings. The event rounded up professionals from across the United States to celebrate the architectural industry’s leading projects, companies, and experts.
A new precedent in resilient housing development
Developed by McCormack Baron Salazar in San Juan, Renaissance Square establishes a new precedent for future architectural planning, with a concept that is mindful of Puerto Rico’s need to venture into environmentally responsible structures.The landmark project, set to open in the first quarter of 2018, comprises a 7-acre site with newly-constructed, economical apartment homes that include walk-up apartments and townhouses. Breaking the mold of affordable housing, Renaissance Square features amenities to increase residents’ overall well-being and quality of life. These include placemaking, walking trails, children’s playgrounds, fitness centers, community gardens, and lush landscaping.
Resilience Amid the Storm
mixed-income housing
In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, an unmistakable urgency has stemmed to create new, and smarter designs rather than reconstruct older models that have proven to be unreliable to the island’s climatic and energetic realities. Renaissance Square, which suffered no serious damage from 2017’s storms—in stark contrast to the more than 250,000+ homes damaged or destroyed—is a testament of resilience and AD&V’s commitment to sustainability.Post-disaster reconstruction involves more than the rebuilding of damaged and destroyed structures and entire towns. It is an opportunity to create new designs and use improved construction techniques and materials to build stronger and sustainable structures.Renaissance Square was strategically conceptualized with eco-friendliness in mind—with features such as photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency cooling systems, and environmentally-friendly building materials—in efforts to reduce energy consumption, which in turn helps tenants save money.
FURTHER READING: BUILDING CODES SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY IN NATURAL DISASTER-PRONE AREAS
Mixed-income Housing: The Future of Post-Maria Puerto Rico
Following the category-4 storm that devastated the island, it is imperative to conceive structures designed with future atmospheric behemoths in mind, in order to mitigate damages. Some of Puerto Rico’s old infrastructure confirmed its unreliability after the historic hurricane, leading many residents to flee and further impoverishing the already-struggling island.
We need to view the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria as an opportunity to develop adequate, sustainable, and resilient professionally-designed housing.
In order for Puerto Rico to fully recover, there needs to be jobs in place, a safe and accessible housing infrastructure for people to live in, and adequate healthcare for citizens. Our role at Alvarez-Diaz & Villalon® is to design accessible, eco-friendly and durable housing for residents.Renaissance Square seeks to reverse the socioeconomic damage caused by the hurricane and to serve as an example of how Puerto Rico should be reconceived, redesigned, and reconstructed: with a long-term picture in mind. Apart from its environmental components and conveniences, a commercial space has been included to encourage the entry of local businesses, which would improve the quality of life of its residents, attract visitors, and solidify the area’s economy.
About the MHN Excellence Awards
The 2017 MHN Excellence Award Winners represent the multifamily sector’s most innovative and ingenious achievements. Whether transforming an obsolete property into a 21st-century community, creating a cutting-edge design, or turning around an underperforming asset, the designers, developers, executives and real estate managers recognized here set a high bar. Also recognized are outstanding executives, top property managers and future stars.Now in its 11th year, the MHN Excellence Awards covered properties and projects in 21 categories.