Working Groups

Project Team Begins Preliminary Design Phase, Forms Working Groups

At our second meeting, we formed smaller Working Groups. The meeting was held on 10/2 at Phebe's Bar, and the informal vibe helped the group members to get acquainted and plan the next steps for the project.

Each Working Group is focused on a particular aspect of the project. Paul suggested we should aim to deliver preliminary calculations, drawings, and cost estimates by end of December. Working Groups can coordinate and share documents using our new project website: http://ABC.ewbNY.org

The Working Groups include:

+ Mechanical: Heating & Ventilation
+ Solar photovoltaic, lighting, and misc. electrical
+ Green roof
+ Water conservation: site/civil, storm water, & water efficiency
+ LEED Application
+ Structural (facade & roof)

Volunteers needed for:

+ Acoustic, noise control
+ Sprinkler
+ Insulation system

The team is off to a great start, and there is still room for more volunteers. Email me if you are interested in lending a hand. ABC@ewbNY.org The next project meeting will be announced by 10/15.

Project Presentation

Project architect Paul Castrucci presents ABC No Rio project to Engineers Without Borders

Paul presented the project, along with associate architect Grayson Jordan, during the EWB Chapter meeting yesterday. Castrucci Architects are serving as ABC No Rio's architectural consultants, and we are excited to be collaborating with them. Paul has over twenty years experience, and has designed or renovated over 1,000 dwelling units and numerous historic buildings and cultural institutions. Paul specializes in contextual, sustainable and energy-efficient design. One of his buildings can be seen right down the block at 179 Rivington Street.

Paul has also been involved in the cultural milieu of which ABC No Rio is part. He was co-founder of the Bullet Space gallery and squat and is the architect for several of the formerly squatted buildings on the Lower East Side now being developed as limited-equity coops. Paul's commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient design resonates with ABC No Rio's institutional values. His understanding of what is unique about ABC No Rio serves us well in designing a new space for our projects and programs.