April 12, 2023
by: AIA New York and NYSERDA
A posed photo of a large group of winners and event participants at the Center for Architecture
Winners and event participants at the Center for Architecture on March 21, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of NYSERDA.
Jesse Lazar at the podium in Tafel Hall
Jesse Lazar, Interim Executive Director, AIA New York. Photo: Courtesy of NYSERDA.
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA, and Illya Azaroff, FAIA, At-Large Director, Board of Directors, American Institute of Architects; Founding Principal, +LAB architect; Assoc. Professor, New York City College of Technology.Photo: Courtesy of NYSERDA.
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA, and Illya Azaroff, FAIA, At-Large Director, Board of Directors, American Institute of Architects; Founding Principal, +LAB architect; Assoc. Professor, New York City College of Technology. Photo: Courtesy of NYSERDA.
Jesse Lazar welcomes to the stage Sara Bayer
Jesse Lazar welcomes to the stage Sara Bayer, Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability, Magnusson Architecture and Planning. Photo: Courtesy of NYSERDA.

On March 21, the Center for Architecture hosted an awards ceremony for Round Three of the Buildings of Excellence competition, administered by The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), where $13.5 million was awarded to 14 projects. Acknowledging that the most cost-effective and low-carbon solutions are integrated into projects from the start of design, the competition awarded another $1.1 million to fund early-stage design projects. Since its inception in 2019, Buildings of Excellence has awarded over $48 million to the design, construction, and operation of clean, resilient, and low-carbon or carbon-neutral multifamily buildings.

In total, the competition has funded the development of 56 state-of-the-art, new construction and adaptive reuse projects, including over 1,300 units that will serve low-to-moderate income households, with 52 percent of the projects in disadvantaged communities.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “NYSERDA was pleased to announce this latest group of Buildings of Excellence awardees at the Center for Architecture, which was the perfect venue to recognize these forward-thinking project teams. We look forward to further collaboration with the American Institute of Architects as we continue to reduce emissions in the buildings sector through low-carbon design and construction.”

The competition supports New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050 and to ensure that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean-energy investments are directed toward disadvantaged communities. Buildings of Excellence Round Three also supports Governor Hochul’s goal to develop two million climate friendly homes by 2030.

Jesse Lazar, Interim Executive Director, AIA New York and the Center for Architecture, said, “As a membership organization committed to advocating for a more sustainable built environment, AIA New York is proud of its continued partnership with NYSERDA and its Buildings of Excellence program, an important statewide initiative in the fight against climate change and the housing crisis.”

The following four Buildings of ExcellenceRound Three awardees were recognized by the Architectural League of New York with a Blue Ribbon for Design Excellence for aesthetics, function, sustainability, and for proving that clean, resilient, carbon neutral designs can exhibit beauty, function, and connection to their community:

Highbridge in Bronx, NY
Developed by Samaritan Daytop Village
Designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning, P.C.

Livonia C3 in Brooklyn, NY
Developed by Catholic Charities Progress of Peoples Development Corporation
Designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning, P.C.

Magnolia Gardens in Flushing, NY
Developed by Asian Americans for Equality
Designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives, RA, PC

Parcel 7 in Rochester, NY
Developed by PathStone Corporation
Designed by Sustainable Comfort, Inc.

See a complete list of all Buildings of Excellence awarded projects on NYSERDA’s website.

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