Clarke Place

Organization Name: Volunteers Of America-Greater New York and Robert Sanborn Development

Project Title: Clarke Place

Project Location: 112 East Clarke Place Bronx, NY

Project Goals:
Clarke Place is a collaboration with developer and service provider, Volunteers of America - Greater New York, and Robert Sanborn Development to provide 122 new affordable apartments for seniors living in the Bronx. Designed for urban seniors who will age in place, the 90,000 sf building is engaging, offering many opportunities for socializing, shared space programming, active and passive activities, and generous natural light. Sustainable building design strategies create healthy living spaces, less impact on the environment, and cost savings on maintenance.

Project Description:
Clarke Place design focuses on active design strategies to support seniors aging in place. Compact apartments are designed to feel larger by capturing natural light through large windows, and shared spaces on each floor encourage social interaction and provide leisure space outside of individual units. Ample outdoor access for flexible recreational programming is incorporated through the landscaped roof at the 12th floor setback, and in the landscaped rear garden. At the front corner of the building, a main stair with a vertical window wall is a day-lit circulation spine. Bringing a new language modern design to an area that has seen recent development, the façade is a multi-colored fiber cement panel system. Targeting LEED Gold, the building design includes a high-performance envelope with double glazed windows, exterior insulation and façade panels, water saving fixtures, LED lighting, and a photovoltaic array system on the main roof of the building.

Community Impact:
A new model of senior housing with generous outdoor and interior shared spaces, the design of Clarke place is inspired by the lives of independent seniors in a multi-family setting. Taking advantage of the new AIRS program [Affordable Independent Residences for Seniors] defined under the Zoning for Quality and Affordability designation, Clarke Place includes multiple flexible spaces leveraging the requirement that 4 percent of the interior spaces are shared to bring open, bright activity centers to each floor. These spaces are day lit and are suitable for flexible programs that will draw residents out of their private spaces. Clarke Place gives urban seniors the choice to age in a residence that is healthy, flexible, offers access to programming and opportunities to socialize, and which supports their preference to live independently.

Organization Description:
Volunteers of America-Greater New York is a faith-based human services organization. We are dedicated to helping individuals and families in need create positive and lasting change through social service programs that support and empower them to live safe, healthy and productive lives. Robert Sanborn has 30+ years of experience in the affordable housing field and as Principal with Robert Sanborn Development , LLC, a company dedicated to the production of workforce, affordable and supportive Housing. Recognized as an expert in public and private financing, RSD has raised over $500 million in debt, equity and government funding and directed the acquisition, finance and construction of multiple developments. Magnusson Architecture and Planning is an award-winning creative design firm based in New York City. For over 30 years MAP has been dedicated to the design and creation of thriving and sustainable communities through excellence in design and planning.