Via Verde is a ground-breaking green affordable multifamily project in the Bronx, NY, being developed by Jonathan Rose Companies and Phipps Houses and designed by Dattner and Grimshaw Architects. Winner of the 2006 New Housing New York competition, the 300,000 square foot project consists of 202 units of affordable housing in 18 stories.

Rendering: street view of Via Verde. (Rendering by Grimshaw Architects)

Bright Power, under contract to the Association for Energy Affordability, is providing energy efficiency, solar design and LEED consulting for Via Verde. Our consultants are working directly with the architect, developer, contractor, engineer and landscape architect to design and incorporate numerous green elements into the project.
As energy efficiency and solar design consultants, Bright Power’s services for Via Verde include:

• Build an energy model to meet LEED and ASHRAE requirements.
• Suggest design changes to improve energy performance.
• Provide savings analysis for a range of energy conservation measures:
  1. Condensing boilers
  2. Heat recovery ventilation
  3. Efficient lighting
  4. Increased insulation
  5. High performance windows
  6. Solar thermal and solar PV
• Design and model performance of a 65 KW solar PV system. 
• Analyze impact of ventilation rates on energy performance
• Create energy criteria for sizing of onsite cogeneration.
• Coordinate Via Verde’s participation in the New York State Energy
• Research and Development Authority’s Multifamily Performance Program.
  

  

Rendering: Wall integrated solar electric (PV) design at Via Verde. (Rendering by Grimshaw Architects)

• As LEED green building consultants, Bright Power's responsibilities include:
  • Analyze the design documents for applicable LEED credits.
  • Facilitate integrated design across the design team to maximize sustainability and LEED credits.
  • Coordinate LEED documentation throughout project design and construction.
  • Write, perform necessary analysis and submit the LEED online templates.
  • Interface with USGBC when the project requires clarification or credit interpretation requests.
  • Meet on-site with the project team as necessary