El Borinquen Residence was designed as a celebration of Latino culture in recognition of its tenant population. Sensitively inserted into the urban fabric, the building's vivid colors and plaza-like entrance inlaid with a black and white wave pattern act as a welcome mat to the residents. The design imparts a sense of infectious joy inside and out, weaving art into the fabric of the interior. A vivid mural visualizing a poem by a famed Puerto Rican poet runs the length of the first floor drawing residents to the rear courtyard, while the spacious community space fronting Third Avenue doubles as an exhibition space for local artists.
Designed for social service provider Comunilife, this twelve-story, 90,000SF supportive housing development takes advantage of the depth of its lot and is organized as four conjoined volumes situated around an internal courtyard. The development comprises 112 studio units, 35 one-bedroom apartments, a two-bedroom super’s unit and 2,500 SF of space for on-site services.
Financing was provided by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Supportive Housing Opportunity Program as well as 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
Recipient of the National AIA's 2024 Housing Award and named 2023 Downstate Project of the Year by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, El Borinquen has also received awards from the New York chapter of the Society of American Registered Architects; Interior Design's NYCxDesign Awards program; Architizer's A+ Awards, The Architect's Newspaper, and The Chicago Athenaeum's International Architecture Awards and American Architecture Awards.