Faced with the challenge of transforming a prominent corner lot where a beloved church stood for decades into low-income senior housing, the architect worked with community members and affordable housing leaders to integrate reclaimed elements of the demolished church, create multi-generational community uses, and offer larger than average units with durable finishes. The solution employs highly insulating, prefabricated six- to eight-inch steel studs, resulting in LEED Gold performance thanks to passive design principles that help reduce energy and operating costs.
The design partí breaks down the massing to create an eight floor contextual form with 63 apartments averaging about 550 square feet each, fairly generous by senior housing standards. About 70% of the units are designed for low-income tenants, while the remaining units are designed specifically for formerly homeless seniors. A ground-floor community center welcomes area teens for video-game learning. Indoor-outdoor public areas, ample daylight, and repurposed church materials are hallmarks of BLA’s vibrant solution. Throughout the new housing complex, salvaged church elements and an integrated art program enliven public areas. Made of acrylic on found materials, dozens of paintings by the principal architect, composed of acrylic on found materials, add visual interest to the interiors.
IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY
• Adds affordable senior housing in an underserved neighborhood
• Exceeds standards for interior finishes and unit size
• Creates multigenerational community with first-floor youth center
• Reduces energy use and emissions
• Recalls a prominent church formerly on the site
