ABC NO RIO

LOCATION: New York, NY

PROGRAM: Community Arts Center

TOTAL AREA: 8,800 SF

CLIENT: ABC No Rio/Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)

PARTNERS: NYC Economic Development Corporation, DCA, ABC No Rio Community, NY State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Engineers Without Borders, Zero Energy, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, RDG Engineers

ABC No Rio is a community arts organization with roots in the Lower East Side dating back to the 1980s. The group’s new building consists of performance spaces, exhibition spaces, and artist studios.

ABC No Rio is a NYC DDC project, and is on track to exceed Local Law 84 by achieving LEED Silver certification. The building is to be one of the first commercial Passive House buildings in New York City. By designing to this rigorous standard, we expect to reduce the building’s energy use by 75%.

Finally, the planting screen and green facade is both a practical sun shade and a poetic statement on the group’s sustainable vision.