Design guidelines for retail space in NYC affordable housing projects released

The Design Trust for Public Space and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released the document “Laying the Groundwork: Design Guidelines for Retail & Other Ground-Floor Uses in Affordable Housing Developments.”

The document is “a robust set of guidelines for designing efficient, flexible ground-floor space for retail and other community services in affordable housing developments,” according to a press release. “The guidelines offer feasible ways to improve economic vitality and streetscape in underserved neighborhoods.”

The document provides practical recommendations for building ground-floor space that is functional for retailers, community, and cultural organizations; accessible and convenient for residents and neighbors; and cost-effective for developers. Recommendations are included for:

Facade and signage
Exterior access and streetscape
Interior architecture:
Mechanical (heating, cooling, and ventilation), electrical, plumbing; and fire protection systems:

For further information, visit here.

One of the hardest decisions multifamily developers and their design teams have to make is what mix of amenities they’re going to put into each project. A lot of squiggly factors go into that decision: the type of community, the geographic market, local recreation preferences, climate/weather conditions, physical parameters, and of course the budget. The permutations are mind-boggling.

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