The project is designed with sustainability as a central focus. Seeking to go beyond the mandatory Enterprise Green Communities requirements, the development team embraced designing, building, and certifying to the PHIUS 2021 Passive House (PH) design criteria by incorporating high-performance, energy-efficient design principles, and emphasizing a highly insulated, thermal-bridge free, and air-tight building envelope. Sensitive to the existing surrounding neighborhood cultural fabric of Flushing, Queens, a Feng Shui consultant was consulted on orientation, space planning, directional energy, and the influence of the five-elements (earth, metal, water, wood, and fire) and colors on the building design.

Magnolia Gardens pays homage to the native Magnolia tree, a symbol of resiliency and adaptability, good fortune and dignity, safety, healing, health, and a sense of home. Magnolia Gardens will not only provide necessary housing to the community but will also connect the community and residents to outdoor space where they can enjoy the full spectrum of benefits that the trees bring. This way, the building will serve as an example that beautiful, sustainable, dignified housing for houseless families is an essential and welcomed refuge in any community.