Alloy Development, Brooklyn, NYC
Renderings by Alloy and ARO
Sustainability Consulting Role:
Gunnar Hubbard provided principal oversight for the comprehensive sustainability strategy for both the first residential all electric tower, and for the school at the street level to achieve Passive House building performance. Early in the design process, Gunnar participated in team workshops, that extended to school authorities and community stakeholders. He too provided Principal oversight for the LEED for Communities certification effort. (Work performed while employed at Thornton Tomasetti)
Climate-Positive Solutions Delivered:
NYC's first all-electric skyscraper with induction cooktops and heat-pump systems
NYC's first Passive House (targeted) public school with super-insulated envelope
Thermal-bridge-free construction and energy recovery ventilation
No on-site parking to encourage transit use at adjacent subway/bus hub
Community resilience spaces designed as cooling centers and emergency shelters
Healthy materials prioritizing low-VOC finishes and environmental justice
Performance Outcomes:
LEED for Community certification for the Alloy Block.
Targeting 50-70% energy reduction in Passive House school vs. typical NYC public school
Targeting 30-40% energy reduction in residential tower through all-electric design
Enhanced indoor air quality through elimination of gas appliances
Community resilience hub designation with emergency shelter capabilities
Model for sustainable affordable housing development in dense urban environments
The Alloy Block by Alloy Development demonstrates how affordable housing can achieve sustainability excellence, integrating Passive House standards with community resilience and social equity goals in urban development while delivering NYC's first all-electric skyscraper. Projects include 505 State Street, the residential tower, and 489 State Street, the Khalil Gibran International Academy led by Architecture Research Office as design architect and Ishmael Leyva as Architect of Record
