The Abington is a 35 story luxury residential tower built at 30^th Street and 10^th Avenue in Manhattan, at the northern end of the High Line Park.  Vidaris performed Energy and LEED consulting on the project team led by Ismael Leyva Architect and Robert A.M. Stern Architects.

Site design features include location on a former brownfield site and in close proximity to the MTA ‘7’ Line subway extension and the extensive use of vegetated rooftop space for resident use.  Rooftop stormwater is captured and utilized for cooling tower makeup water and landscape irrigation.  Internal water use is reduced by nearly 30% through the use of low flow faucets, toilets and showers.  And on non-vegetated roof areas, high solar reflectance roof pavers and ballast were utilized to lessen the buildings heat island impact while still maintaining acceptable visual comfort.

The project incorporates energy efficiency measures for a projected cost savings of 25% versus ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 Appendix G.  Some of the energy efficiency measures include:

• Low U-factor for vertical glazing (0.48 unit)
• Efficient lighting power density design and occupancy sensors in corridors, stairwells, parking and BOH areas. 
• Energy Star appliances used throughout the residential units
• Demand control ventilation for parking garage areas and VSD on cooling towers
• 75 kw cogeneration unit with heat recovery for domestic heating and hot water

Indoor environmental quality for the occupants was critical to the owner and design team.  An Indoor Air Quality Plan was implemented throughout construction and low-emitting materials, evaluated for criteria above and beyond LEED, were utilized throughout the building.  Over 85% of the construction waste was diverted during construction activity.