This edition of the Phius Project Spotlight Series highlights the Vital Brooklyn mixed-use project in Brooklyn, New York.
Our monthly Project Spotlights highlight the cutting-edge work being done by Phius professionals and provide examples of successful design and construction strategies. We feature projects of various sizes, typologies, and climate zones, offering you a peek behind the curtain of each. The Project Spotlight series appears in e-blasts to our mailing list (be sure to join if you haven’t already) as well as right here in the Klingenblog.
Our February Project Spotlight is: Vital Brooklyn in Brooklyn, New York! It was named the Best Overall Project in the 2023 Phius Passive Projects Design Competition and is currently featured on the homepage of the Phius website.
Vital Brooklyn, located in Brownsville, Brooklyn, represents a pioneering approach to addressing housing disparities and promoting sustainability in Central Brooklyn. Part of the Vital Brooklyn Initiative, this building encompasses 160 affordable and supportive homes along with more than 25,000 square feet of health-focused community space.
Vital Brooklyn is Phius Certified, ensuring comfort, resilience, and carbon emission reductions.
The complex features a 100kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, high-performance variable refrigerant flow (VRF) for apartment heating and cooling systems, robust continuous exterior insulation, and highly efficient double-pane windows to minimize heat loss and improve overall energy efficiency. Residents have access to various amenities such as a terrace, landscaped courtyards, a dog run, play areas, fitness facilities, co-working spaces, and more, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
Vital Brooklyn’s health-focused community space hosts an outpatient medical clinic run by Brookdale Hospital, community job training programs, and a fresh food program. This comprehensive approach to community health and wellness aligns with the project's broader goals of addressing health disparities in Central Brooklyn.
The project also offers supportive services, including 36 units designated for youth aging out of foster care and individuals with developmental disabilities. These services are provided by The New York Foundling, in collaboration with state agencies, ensuring that residents have access to necessary support.
The Vital Brooklyn Complex not only addresses the critical need for affordable housing in Central Brooklyn but also serves as a model for sustainable development. Through its Phius Certification, solar energy utilization, and commitment to energy-efficient design, it demonstrates how affordable housing projects can align with environmental goals and promote the health and well-being of their communities. This development represents a significant step toward addressing historic disparities and creating a brighter, more sustainable future for Central Brooklyn residents.
Photo credits: Pavel Bendov, hi@pavelbendov.com and Dattner Architects