The Block

[{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["sup"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Along one of\nPhiladelphia\u2019s major north-south connectors, The Block adds 49 apartment units\nthrough a building that successfully navigates the rift between the\npedestrian-focused and car-centric realms. At a moment when many cities are\nstruggling with soaring land and construction costs, The Block demonstrates an\ninnovative low-rise and high-density approach to urban housing with potential\napplications for communities, both urban and suburban, across the country. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Though Philadelphia is\nknown for its walkability and dense urban fabric, there still exist car-centric\ncommercial developments where big-box buildings on former industrial lots\ndeliver retail amenities to historically underserved neighborhoods. This\nproject bridges the gap between both conditions by supporting walkability and\ncapitalizing on existing car-centric development. In place of high-rise luxury\ntowers and their steep costs, the project probes the upper limits of lower-cost\nwood-frame construction types."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Block was developed\nby the owners of a single-story warehouse that\u2019s been transformed into a local\nbrewery and retail space and sits immediately to the new building\u2019s north. The\nowners approached the design team in 2017 seeking a concept that would add\nvalue and activity to the southeast edge of the parcel. To address the\nchallenge of shaping a compelling living experience for city residents within a\nsea of surface parking, the team envisioned a broad mix of programming, including\n11,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space sized to welcome smaller,\nlocal tenants. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The new building, set\nalong the site\u2019s southern edge, occupies the majority of the existing parking\nlot and lines 5"],[0,[0],1,"th"],[0,[],0," Street with live-work units. Taking cues from\nPhiladelphia\u2019s low-rise rowhouse typology, the team employed an unusual\napproach to circulation throughout the building. The Block\u2019s interior corridors\nare minimized, relying instead on an elevated terrace as the primary access\npoint for the walk-up apartments. The terrace buffers the apartment entries\nfrom the surface parking lot and retail operations below and includes outdoor\namenities off the central lobby and the building\u2019s club room. From its decked\nseating areas, gravel lounge pits, and a turfed dog park, residents can enjoy\nviews of the city\u2019s skyline. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThe use of conventional construction with\ntweaks on geometry and color has enlivened both its context and the life of\ntenants.\u201d - Jury comment"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Since its completion last\nyear, all of The Block\u2019s apartment units have been occupied, and numerous\ncommercial leases have been signed. The owners remain committed to\nPhiladelphia\u2019s entrepreneurs and offer retail spaces for weekend pop-ups that\nattract nearly 100 vendors and makers. The apartments add much-needed\npedestrian-friendly housing adjacent to transit and the city\u2019s vibrant Old City\nand Chinatown neighborhoods. "]]]]},"title":"Project Highlights"},{"title":"Framework for Design Excellence","body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence","target","_new"]],["strong"],["em"]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The "],[0,[0],1,"AIA Framework for Design Excellence"],[0,[],0," represents the defining principles of good design in the 21st century. Comprised of 10 principles and accompanied by searching questions, the Framework seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment."]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Integration"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was there a design charrette? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Ecosystems"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supported vegetation (landscape or green roof) pre-development:"],[0,[],0," 1%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area that supports vegetation post-development:"],[0,[],0," 5%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Site area covered by native plants supporting native or migratory species and pollinators:"],[0,[],0," 5%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Strategies used to promote Design for Ecosystems:"],[0,[],0," Habitat\nconservation, flora\/fauna\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\t"]]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Water"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for irrigation? "],[0,[],0,"No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is potable water used for cooling? "],[0,[],0,"No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is grey\/blackwater reused on-site? "],[0,[],0,"No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is rainwater collected on-site? "],[0,[],0,"No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Stormwater managed on-site:"],[0,[],0," 100%"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Energy"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"2030 Commitment baseline EUI:"],[0,[],0," 58 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Predicted net EUI including on-site renewables:"],[0,[],0," 33 kBtu\/sf\/yr"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Reduction from the benchmark: "],[0,[],0,"43%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Is the project all-electric?"],[0,[],0," Yes"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Well-being"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Level of air filters installed: "],[0,[],0,"MERV 9-11"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Was a \u201cchemicals of concern\u201d list used to inform material selection?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Do greater than 90% of occupied spaces have a direct view to the outdoors? "],[0,[],0,"Yes"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Resources"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Were embodied carbon emissions estimated for this project?"],[0,[],0," No"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Change"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Estimated service life: "],[0,[],0,"50 Years"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Floor area, if any, representing adapting existing buildings:"],[0,[],0," 0%"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Ability to survive without utility power:"],[0,[],0," Passive\nsurvivability\n"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Which of the following risk assessment and resilience services were provided?"],[0,[],0," None of the above"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Design for Discovery"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Has a post-occupancy evaluation been conducted?"],[0,[],0," No, and a POE will not be conducted"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Building performance transparency steps taken: "],[0,[],0," Present the\ndesign, outcomes, and\/or lessons learned to the office\n"]]],[1,"p",[]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Disclaimer"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"This information is being provided as a convenience and has been prepared by third parties. It is provided for informational purposes only. Providing this material does not constitute an endorsement or approval by AIA of any of the information. AIA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of this information. Please use at your own discretion."]]]]}}]