FUN FACTS : In 2006, New Housing New York, the first juried design competition for affordable housing in New York City, was held. Via Verde was the winning entry into the international competition, which called on Architects and Developers to create a replicable project, using design, sustainable practices, and ‘healthy living’ principles in the hope that the scheme could become a prototype for future developments in the city. Completed in 2012 and designed by Dattner Architects in collaboration with Grimshaw, the project reflects a public commitment to create the next generation of social housing, providing a setting for healthy, sustainable living.

We were privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with the design team at Dattner, and supply our tile products on this influential project. Casalgrande Padana’s Basaltina collection, along with a classic white subway tiles for walls provided the understated yet sophisticated aesthetic, while maintaining a high level of durability and technical performance.

As the project neared completion in 2011, Michael Kimmelman, NY Times Architecture Critic praised the project, saying: “The rebirth of the South Bronx isn’t news. But Via Verde is. And it makes as good an argument as any new building in the city for the cultural and civic value of architecture.”