Resilient Strategies

Setting the standard for new development in coastal areas, the site and building design integrates resilient and sustainable features to not only protect against current and future flood risk but optimize energy efficiency as well.

In addition to minimizing footprint and maximizing on-site infiltration, the development portion of the site between Beach 32nd and Beach 41st will be elevated to protect against sea surge, bay surge, and groundwater flooding. To account for future sea-level rise, depending on the location, the development area will be elevated from three to eight feet above the existing elevation to ensure that mapped streets are built to legal grade and that occupied stories of the buildings would have a minimum elevation that exceeds the level of the last catastrophic storm (between El +14 and +16 feet NAVD88) and current New York City requirements. 

The project will create a coastal buffer zone with the densest portions concentrated along Edgemere Avenue (Shore Front Parkway).  Buildings will be energy-efficient using Passive House design standards.

Resilient and energy-efficient development features include:

• Building systems include geothermal heating, cooling, and hot water

• Solar PV arrays on building roofs and parking lots

• Harvested rainwater for irrigation

• All stormwater will be managed on-site

• Paved surfaces will include permeable materials where possible

• Indigenous plantings with further buffer the area

• Overall, the project intends to be fossil fuel-free