St Philip Neri Apartments wins AIA NYS Excelsior Award

The American Institute of Architects for New York State has honored St Philip Neri Apartments in its 12th annual Excelsior and Professional Service Awards. The Awards highlight the best in publicly funded projects across New York State.

St Philip Neri Apartments is a pair of 100% affordable housing buildings located diagonally across from one another on land adjacent to the St Philip Neri Church on Villa Avenue in the Bronx. The two buildings accommodate 186 residential units in total.

Located on a former parking lot of the neighboring St Philip Neri church, the design considers the two buildings as a family with a strong connection to one another pragmatically, socially and architecturally. The scheme breaks down the scale with two basic massings; a lower folded wall up to 9 stories, clad in a light brick. Set back behind these folds is a recessed plan, clad in a darker brick. The lower zone slightly inflects at both buildings, and together creates an “embrace” that connects them visually. 

In addition to the embrace, the buildings connect to each other in several ways. The wood-clad entry pavilions are diagonally arranged across the street, inviting people into the residences through these transparent and welcoming structures, which then travel into the interiors as a pathway to public spaces, amenities and a garden.

Both buildings provide homes for diverse demographics, including low-income families, individuals with mental disabilities, and a set-aside for formerly homeless people, including veterans. In addition to the residential units amenities include community rooms, laundry, bike storage, recreational gardens, and in the case of 3069 Villa Avenue, a center for formerly homeless youth called the Beacon of Hope.