zlvas

Smooth workflows = better results 🖖 #SimplifyZoning #SmoothWorkflows #ZoningTech #AECInnovation"

The newly approved COY Economic Opportunity reorganizes permissible land uses into 4 categories and 10 general groups, covering hundreds of specific uses. Each zoning district allows a unique combination of these uses, which directly impacts regulations like available floor area, bulk, and yard requirements. Our workflow streamlines this process, helping you quickly grasp the broader use categories while providing detailed insights into the specific uses permitted for each property.

Featuring another standout project. Check out Circa Central Park by FXCollaborative: “The building encapsulates our New York–inspired design approach perfectly: respect the street, celebrate the sky, and create urban sculpture.”

Download customized zoning reports 📃 📃 📃 Along with 3D model exports, users can seamlessly access site-specific data in PDF format. These reports reflect zoning criteria based on user inputs, providing project-specific information to streamline your workflow.

Shoutout to the DC Office of Zoning for their work in simplifying access to zoning information. Launched in 2018, their interactive 3D map allows users to explore general height, setback, and yard requirements, making it easier for people to obtain development standards and navigate regulations. While many jurisdictions strive to communicate city regulations, there is still a general lack of access, especially in complex areas like NYC. Local authorities have a civic responsibility to ensure the public has robust access to this information. We envision a future where every jurisdiction offers public access to similar platforms, empowering citizens and making the development process smoother for everyone. Follow link to DCOZ 3D zoning map here: https://lnkd.in/euJ2KXbC

Introducing our new yard feature💚 Easily explore different as-of-right yard scenarios with just a few clicks. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Discover this cool adaptive reuse project by PKSB Architects at the landmarked Puck Building in SoHo. The project added six residential units on top of this iconic structure, resulting in 13% of the building being allocated to residential use. This is key given the percentage of residential zoning floor area directly affects the building's bulk options. In some zoning districts, maintaining less than 25% or more than 65% residential use can open up a wider range of possibilities. At zlvas, we're inspired by architect’s workflows to streamline the decision-making process and make NYC zoning more accessible and engaging.

In 1994, the 1961 tower regulations were amended to introduce tower-on-a-base provisions for buildings within 100’/125’ of a wide street. These changes aimed to address the disruption caused by sheer-rising residential towers that were set back from the street-line, breaking the continuity of the block's tenement buildings. The new rules established minimum lot coverage for towers and set street wall height/location requirements for the base. However, if a building is less than 25% residential, these rules don’t apply. For a great example of these provisions in action, check out “1711 First Ave” by SHoP Architects.

FAR allowances vary depending on the permitted use. For residential use, there are several options based on the district: Quality Housing (QH), Height Factor (HF), or Inclusionary Housing (IH) FARs. In some districts, the QH option offers increased FAR if a site or a portion of it is within 100’ of a wide street, which also allows for an increase in height. While this is generally straightforward, there are cases where a site fronting a narrow street may still be influenced by a nearby wide street. This can result in a significant undervaluation of the site's development potential, sometimes by several thousand square feet. Using GIS, we can identify these areas of influence, ensuring a more accurate assessment of the applicable FAR. The following examples illustrate how easily these possibilities can be evaluated to determine the optimal development strategy.

Zoning as Urban Genes Genes are segments of DNA that carry the instructions for cells to grow and function—the fundamental building blocks of living organisms. In a similar way, zoning regulations act as the “genes” of our built environment—the building blocks of a city. Just as genes dictate the formation and function of organisms, zoning rules provide the framework that shapes buildings. It's fascinating to consider that when we look at a building, we're not just seeing the result of an architect’s design process, but also a set of invisible guidelines that shaped and limited the structure. One example is “609 Second Avenue” by Fischer + Makooi Architects. This building sits on a lot divided between C1-8A and C1-9A zoning districts, requiring each portion of the lot to comply with its specific density and height regulations.