Bethany Senior Terraces

Award Criteria

Architectural Excellence

Bethany Terraces is a groundbreaking 4-story affordable senior housing project in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, with 57 units with 48 studios and 9 one-bedroom apartments with 39 affordable senior units and 18 for formerly unhoused individuals. Situated in the vibrant neighborhood of Little Haiti, the design prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and community.

Constructed using 47 modules measuring 14’ wide, 11’ tall, and 60’ long, each module houses two finished apartments. Erected in two weeks, the project achieves efficiency and visual harmony with a clean EIFS-clad exterior.

Cascading southern terraces connect to a communal greenhouse at the lobby, fostering socialization and wellness. Community amenities, include a test kitchen, a fourth-floor pantry, and outdoor seating.

As NYC’s first modular Passive House building, Bethany Terraces features natural light-filled, all-electric units, and prioritizes green space and solar exposure promoting well-being on its residents and community.

Technical Innovation & Sustainability

Bethany Terraces showcases technical innovation by achieving Passive House standards in modular affordable housing. Precision-engineered offsite, the 47 modules reduced material waste, controlled costs, and cut construction timelines to a two-week onsite assembly. This method demonstrates a replicable solution for addressing NYC’s housing crisis, reducing financing costs and demonstrating sustainability at scale.

The fully electrified building integrates a +/- 130 kW solar array, meeting 100% of common area electricity and 80% of total energy needs. VRF heat pumps provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, while circular building design reduces embodied carbon.

Terraces and shared spaces promote social engagement while enhancing energy efficiency. Certified by PHIUS, DOE Zero Energy Ready, and Enterprise Green Communities, Bethany Terraces pioneers green modular construction, offering a scalable, sustainable solution for future affordable housing developments.

Cost Effectiveness

Bethany Terraces achieves cost-effectiveness through modular construction, with 60% of the project built offsite, avoiding NYC on-site wage costs. Controlled conditions minimized waste and accelerated installation, with modules craned into place and welded onsite, completing assembly in just two weeks.

Funded by RiseBoro Community Partnership with additional support from a NYSERDA Blue Ribbon Award, the project aligns energy efficiency with affordability. Solar panels cover nearly all common-area energy needs, reducing operational costs. Durable, resource-efficient materials and standardized module configurations enhance scalability for future projects.

While not relocatable, Bethany Terraces serves as a replicable model for affordable Passive House housing. With modular work accounting for only 40% of total costs versus 60% for site work, this approach promises significant savings as methodologies improve, offering a sustainable, cost-efficient solution to NYC’s housing crisis.