ACME Timber Lofts in New Haven, Connecticut, sets a new benchmark for sustainable urban development by blending preservation-worthy architecture with innovative, low-carbon materials like Richlite. Designed by GOA Architecture, and developed by Spiritos Properties, the project re-imagines an 1877 masonry building into an 18-unit modern residential loft while advancing a broader vision for urban adaptive reuse through mass timber vertical extension. At street level, Richlite recycled paper facade panels—sourced through EcoSupply—provide a durable, elegant, and environmentally responsible skin that aligns with the project’s low embodied carbon structure, passive house rainscreen strategy and material-forward design ethos.
Richlite plays an essential role in a larger palette of natural, reclaimed, and regenerative materials that define the project’s aesthetic and carbon performance. The first-floor storefront facade's understated matte finish seamlessly complements the exposed southern pine cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels that make up the building’s vertical expansion.
The project’s commitment to material transparency extends to the interior, where every surface tells a story of ecological responsibility. Original 150-year-old southern yellow pine beams, salvaged on-site, have been reborn as lobby benches, tables, and solid wood flooring—preserving the character of the building’s industrial past.
By centering Richlite within a holistic framework of mass timber innovation, ACME Timber Lofts showcases a compelling model for adaptive reuse and sustainable growth. The project doesn’t simply add density to the urban core—it adds value to the environment through carbon storage, waste reduction, and regenerative sourcing. ACME Timber Lofts proves what’s possible when architect, material supplier, and developer work in harmony to deliver both lasting design and meaningful climate impact.