The New York Times’ October 19, 2015 issue’s Metro/Region Section features an article on a modular post-disaster housing prototype for New York City.  CBB is the lighting consultant for the prototype  units, a project in collaboration with Garrison Architects.

CBB’s lighting solution for the prototype relies on cost-effective, low-maintenance fixtures, anticipating a scenario of insufficient materials, minimal choice of fixtures and a shortage of skilled labor for repair or replacement work. In addition, the lighting design recognizes that in a disaster situation, occupants are likely to be moving in completely empty-handed. To meet these specific needs, CBB designed interior lighting that uses only two lamp types, a 26 watt CFL and a 32 watt T8, and accommodates limited mounting options. For longer life and energy-efficiency, all exterior lighting is LED.

In the event of a disaster, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) intends to deploy the apartment pods in multi-story configurations.  In this stacked arrangement the units enable efficient use of limited urban terrain, to provide viable temporary homes for displaced residents.