davidc@ccr-mag.com
November 28, 2020
Among the nation’s leading designers of affordable housing, the firm RKTB Architects has been selected for a new, 135-unit housing development for low-income seniors on a prominent site in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Described by Brooklyn Daily Eagle as a “sleek brick-and-glass building” planned with environmentally conscious design features including rooftop solar panels, the new eight-story structure dubbed Catholic Charities Loreto Apartments brings the needy borough about 80 apartments for formerly homeless seniors, as well as affordable independent residences for seniors, or AIRS as they are locally known, for tenants at 40% and 50% of area median income, or AMI.
Sited where a historic Brownsville church once stood, the new apartment building design will add much-needed housing to the area, which has a commitment of about 2,500 new affordable homes, according to the city’s department of Housing, Preservation and Development, or HPD, which a few years ago published its well-received Brownsville Plan.
The architecture, design and planning firm RKTB has been operating nationally for 55 years and with a uniquely commendable social mission, working to “help neighborhoods prosper and to promote equity in society.” With a diverse portfolio in housing, educational, cultural, civic and healthcare projects — and specialties in facade and roof projects as well as adaptive reuse of entire buildings — the firm has long-term relationships with public agencies and nonprofits addressing homelessness, availability of early childhood education, supportive housing, and affordable healthcare and living options.
RKTB’s widely used concept for increasing availability of new low-income and workforce housing in urban midblock locations, the Affordable Infill Prototype has been showcased by regional leaders including New York City’s Public Design Commission. With Carmi Bee, FAIA, the RKTB housing team is led by managing principal Peter Bafitis, AIA, who has chaired an AIA chapter Housing Committee for a number of years and has experience on built works from Washington, D.C. to Florida and from Japan to Nigeria.
