Battery Park City Commercial and Residential Green Guidelines

New York, NY

Client: Hugh L. Carey Battery Park City Authority
Completion: 2001

FXFOWLE was commissioned by Battery Park City to develop the first Sustainable Design Guidelines ever created for residential buildings. The guidelines were formulated to cut energy and fuel use dramatically and require that five percent of each building's energy is produced from renewable sources. To reduce water consumption and facilitate reuse, black water systems (Living Machines) are specified. Apartments created according to the guidelines will be 30% more energy-efficient than required by New York State energy codes and will bring in 30% more natural light than city codes demand. The Solaire, completed in 2002, is the first building completed under these Guidelines, and is expected to achieve a LEED Gold Rating.

The Sustainable Design Guidelines for Commercial Development, a sequel to the Residential Guidelines, provide both required and suggested strategies for increasing the environmental sustainability of future development.  To attempt to increase energy efficiency by 40%, the guidelines require new commercial construction to integrate photovoltaic panels and use fuel cell power. To conserve water, the guidelines call for structures to reduce overall water usage by 20%, by requiring all building setbacks to collect reusable rainwater and to use reclaimed water for non-potable purposes.