NYC Department of Sanitation — Manhattan Community Districts 1, 2, & 5 Garage

Overlooking the Hudson River at Spring Street, the Manhattan Districts 1/2/5 Garage has become a source of neighborhood pride. This critical piece of urban infrastructure serves close to 300,000 residents, and houses over 150 sanitation vehicles and 250 workers. The design reflects a commitment to civic expression, environmental responsibility, and sensitivity to the urban context. Although municipal projects are often targeted as undesirable uses, the community has embraced the project and applauded the use of design to successfully integrate critical services into the neighborhood. Sustainable design features are intrinsic to the design and organization of the LEED Gold certified and AIA COTE Top 10 Award-winning building. A double-skin façade wraps the upper floors of the garage, comprised of glazed curtainwall and 2,600 custom perforated aluminum fins, which float above the building’s dark articulated masonry base. A 1.5-acre green roof softens the view from above, reduces heat-island effect, enhances storm water retention, and promotes biodiversity. Heated and cooled by municipal steam service, it reduces fossil fuel emissions. Waste steam condensate and rainwater filtered through the green roof are captured and reused for truck wash, reducing potable water use. The design team worked closely with NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to refine the program while integrating design components and massing reductions beneficial to the community. Women leadership was key to the project from the earliest stages of design through final closeout. During the Design Phase, Ruth Dresdner, Gia Mainiero, Daniella LaRocca and Claire Weisz were instrumental to design iterations with DSNY. Gia remained with the project through the ribbon cutting, overseeing Construction Administration in a co-located field office. It is noteworthy that the project took place under female leadership at DSNY, including Assistant Commissioner Marie Jean-Louis, and Commissioner Kathryn Garcia; as well as leadership at NYC DDC, in Construction Project Manager Francoise Fortune-Blanchard.