Located at the corner of Timpson Place and East 147th Street in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, the site is between Southern Boulevard, a corridor with heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and the Bruckner Expressway. The surrounding area features a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, with the 6 train station just one block away.

The site has two major characteristics which played a significant role in the building’s massing and façade design. The first is a noticeable grade change along East 147th Street that required careful consideration during the design process. The other is the triangular geometry of the site, presenting an opportunity to differentiate the massing into three parts. The first massing is the corner itself, which is emphasized through the use of a gray brick cladding, creating a heavy stone-like anchor for the other two facades. The sharp angle at the corner is also snubbed, allowing a sparse placement of windows for light and air into the apartments above while preserving its monolithic nature.

The other two massings use a rainscreen cladding system of light-colored fiber cement panels. Along the elevation of 147th street, the facade reflects its residential context through a uniform grid pattern of windows. Its simple composition creates a background against which the pedestrian level draws attention. Here, the façade is carved in creating a canopy that widens the street. As the street starts to slope downward, the façade angles into the building, aligning with the adjacent residential buildings. A lightwell is also added between the building and the street, introducing natural light and visibility into the programs below grade.

Along Timpson Place, the design takes advantage of the low buildings facing the site and the industrial context to create a dynamic and vibrant facade. 

An alternating rhythm of windows are framed with asymmetrical blue surrounds that project on one edge, adding depth to the facade and creating deep shadows across the surface. Since the surrounding buildings allow for clear views of the building from a distance, the elevation becomes a visible marker of the neighborhood.

A band of blue cladding is indented into the building marking the transition between the three facades and emphasizing the building’s massing. Despite their variation, the facades present the building as a cohesive whole through a shared palette of colors and materials reflecting the mission of the programs inside the building.

A major component of the project is the inclusion of a two-story community room with a teaching kitchen and cafeteria. These spaces are connected by an open internal staircase to create visibility and interaction between the two programs. 

In addition, both the ground floor and lower level accommodate office space for both organizations, a computer room, bike storage, and lobby. To encourage community participation the lobby is strategically placed adjacent to these communal areas increasing accessibility. The use of materiality in the lobby also creates a welcoming experience for residents and guests while the waiting area provides an organized space for visitors to gather.

A rear yard is also accessible through the ground floor, offering residents seating and outdoor recreational space. To optimize natural lighting into the programs below grade, a portion of the yard is excavated, connecting the offices to the outdoor area. On the eighth floor, residents have access to communal amenities such as an exercise room and laundry facilities. Both are connected to a terrace with seating areas and an extensive green roof that supports stormwater management. A second terrace on the roof provides a larger outdoor space featuring a solar pergola system, further contributing to the building’s energy efficiency.