The architect Alexander Gorlin is a modernist, and his firm’s El Borinquen Residence, an affordable- and supportive-housing development in the Bronx, draws on those vibrant mid-century traditions. “The massing is based on Latin American modernist slabs raised on ‘pilotis,’” Gorlin says. Thus, the building will “invite the community in and create a higher ceiling for the common spaces on the ground floor.” He was hired by Dr. Rosa Gil, the CEO of Comunilife, to design with the heritage of the local Latinx community in mind; Borinquen is the Taíno name of Puerto Rico. Quncie Williams, from Gorlin’s office, was the project architect for the 148-unit, 90,000-square-foot building in which art would be part of the everyday experience. There is a gallery exhibition area for local Bronx artists and the opportunity to create temporary studio space with movable partitions. Of the 148 apartments, 90 are designated for youths aging out of foster care and formerly houseless individuals with mental-health needs. The remaining 57 units are affordable apartments for low-income seniors and community residents. (The last is for the super.) “My goal has always been, in these buildings, to create upbeat, positive, cheerful places to live,” Gorlin says. “Places that people can identify with and feel proud of.” Plus, “it’s entirely affordable,” Gorlin notes. “It’s not one of those buildings that is market rate and then 20 percent is affordable. It’s 100 percent affordable.” Head to the link in our bio for more from the latest #GreatRooms. Photos: @mmoranphoto