Paul A. Castrucci Architects

544 EAST 13TH STREET

LOCATION: New York, NY

PROGRAM: Multi-Family Residence

TOTAL AREA: 13,225 SF

CLIENT: UHAB, NYC Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), BFC Partners

PARTNERS: Enterprise Green Communities Zero Energy, Guth-DeConzo Engineers

544 East 13th Street is a low income cooperative renovated in cooperation with NYC HPD. The gut renovation was designed to meet Passive House EnerPhit standards for Retrofit structures. A primary goal of the project was to meet the diverse needs of the tenants in a constructable, adaptable plan.

Paul A. Castrucci Architects engaged with the tenants in a collaborative process to recognize, define, and balance the project’s vision to meet budgetary and regulatory requirements. The resulting plan met tenent expectations while maintaining a cohesive organization strategy that was adapted for future uses.

Using building science analysis, the team maximized interior insulation while maintaining structural integrity of the masonry structure and protecting it from freeze/thaw damage. Utilizing our Passive House experience, we were able to propose simple, refined thermal details that allowed the building to meet ambitious energy efficiency goals on a tight budget. The leaky, drafty spaces were replaced by thermally stable, comfortable spaces. Finally, the constant, filtered fresh air provided tenants with the best possible indoor air quality. By building to the EnerPhit standard, 544 East 13th Street decreased energy and maintenance costs, making the buildings truly affordable.