El Borinquen Residence

Project highlights: El Borinquen Residence

• Architecture firm:  Alexander Gorlin Architects
• Location: New York
• Category:  Five
• Project site: Previously developed
• Building program type(s):  Residential - multi-family, 5 or more units

• Fusing art with residential design, El Boriquen Residence is a testament to the transformative power of architecture to develop communities. Located in the Bronx, this 100,000-square-foot development is a beacon of hope and rejuvenation that adroitly serves the needs of Comunilife, an organization dedicated to assisting Latinx New Yorkers in need.

  The project highlights the essence of design for integration by seamlessly weaving together beauty and functionality. Its core concept, blending art and healthcare, demonstrates housing’s place as a cornerstone for overall wellness. The team’s design goals included crafting an environment that resonates with its Latinx roots to serve a range of residents, from young people leaving the foster care system to low-income seniors. 

Much more than a structure, the project’s architectural framework is a canvas that draws inspiration from modernist buildings in Latin America, which are often elevated on distinct pilotis or columns. A wide array of colors dance across its facade, with metal panels echoing the hues of numerous South American flags. The project’s interiors are equally mesmerizing, with an indoor mural created by local artists and a tile display in the elevator bank.

The project is rooted in its commitment to building community. Along the ground floor, common rooms double as art galleries with rotating exhibitions to draw in neighbors. Among El Borinquen Residence’s 148 studios and one-bedroom apartments, 90 are dedicated to young people and individuals who have faced homelessness. The remaining units provide affordable housing for seniors and low-income community members, reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity and support.

El Borinquen Residence was designed to Enterprise Green Communities Standards and embodies a design philosophy that hinges on human comfort and ecological responsibility. Enhanced insulation ensures resident comfort and minimizes energy demands. It operates on 90% electric power and, for additional resilience, features a gas backup generator to ensure uninterrupted power during outages. On-site rainwater collection systems play dual roles in the project, reducing the need for external water sources and sustainably managing rainfall and stormwater.

El Borinquen Residence, through its commitment to art, culture, and community, highlights the important role architecture plays in fostering positive societal change. This project delivers beautiful architecture for New Yorkers most in need in a place that rarely experiences architectural fairness.