Login
Registered users
Located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Rubin Hall was built in 1926 as a hotel. It was purchased by NYU in 1964 for use as a student residence and designated as contributing building to the Greenwich Village Historic District 1969. Prior to renovation, the building was one of the few student residences in NYU’s portfolio without air conditioning in student rooms. The building’s systems were antiquated and inadequate to meet today’s needs. Windows provided the only ventilation, causing either poor air quality when closed for comfort, or energy inefficiency when open for fresh air. The decision to retrofit was driven by NYU’s Climate Action Plan, which pledged to reduce building greenhouse gas emissions and reach carbon neutrality by 2040.
The voting session is closed
As a contributing building within the Greenwich Village Historic District, Rubin Hall’s renovation demonstrates how sustainability and historic preservation can coexist. By maintaining the building’s architectural integrity while upgrading its energy performance, the project respects the cultural fabric of the neighborhood and sets a precedent for sensitive, sustainable retrofits of historic structures.
By implementing Passive House EnerPHit standards, the project drastically reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. The transition to an all-electric system supports NYU’s Climate Action Plan and New York City’s decarbonization goals. The retrofit also significantly improves indoor environmental quality for students. Advanced ventilation systems reduce indoor pollutants and enhance health and well-being. Year-round thermal comfort addresses the previous issues of overheating and lack of air conditioning. The project leverages cost-effective, scalable solutions that can be applied to similar pre-war buildings throughout New York City and beyond.
The retrofit of Rubin Hall employs innovative solutions to enhance performance while preserving its historic character. All new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems are seamlessly integrated through existing shafts to maximize usable space and minimize construction cost. All-electric heat pumps, Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) units with energy recovery, and an emergency generator are discreetly positioned on the roof to minimize views from the street in accordance with NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission guidelines. A major challenge was upgrading the windows—critical to both historic character and Passive House performance. The solution was custom-designed, triple-glazed, simulated double-hung windows that replicate the original aesthetic while providing thermal efficiency. The design team collaborated with the window manufacturer to develop a product that not only meets Passive House standards but serves as a scalable solution for future historic retrofit projects.
Beyond its energy performance upgrades, the renovation revitalizes Rubin Hall’s interior while enhancing student living. A historically sensitive restoration of the lobby preserves its architectural grandeur, while new student amenities and fully renovated student rooms introduce modern finishes, improved layouts, and enhanced accessibility. Durable, best-in-class materials—selected for occupant health and sustainable manufacturing—ensure a long-lasting and environmentally responsible environment.
"There aren’t a lot of buildings, if any, that are the passive house retrofit this size and all electric. And I don’t want it to be special — I want lots of people to do this. That’s what we all need. If we’re going to have clean air, if we’re going fight climate change, if we’re going to be comfortable and healthy, I want to see other people doing this, too." - Cecil Scheib, Chief Sustainability Officer, New York University
WORKING
