Making Modern-Day Affordable Housing Design More Responsible
Affordable housing, as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, is housing in which the occupant pays 30% or less of gross income on total housing. This term also refers to housing assistance for low-income individuals, including those who receive housing vouchers, or housing set aside for residents below a locally-set level of income.
Historically, affordable housing was characterized by tall, imposing concrete structures that discouraged community building and felt isolating. Architects today are rethinking affordable housing designs, incorporating sustainable features that reduce the cost of maintenance, connecting residents to outside resources, and keeping buildings at a smaller scale.
Here are examples of recent affordable housing designs that incorporate elements of responsible architecture, either from an environmental or social aspect or both:
Hannibal Road Gardens; Peter Barber Architects; Stepney, England
Notable design elements:
- Stepped and notched south-east facing garden terraces
- Each house has a minimum of 2 large courtyards or roof terraces
- Shingles mirror the look of nearby timber garden fences
Villas at the Ridgeway; Magnusson Architecture and Planning; Yonkers, NY
Notable design elements:
- Earned LEED Silver status for its high-performance building envelope, Low-E Energy Star windows, water-saving fixtures, and high-efficiency systems
- Apartments feature private entrances
- Redevelopment replaces three rundown public housing buildings
Via Verde; Dattner Architects and Grimshaw; the Bronx, New York City
Notable design elements:
- Achieved both LEED Gold status and exceeded NYSERDA guidelines for environmental responsibility
- A display in the main lobby shows energy statistics
- The large ground-level courtyard creates numerous social spaces
- Green roofs reduce water runoff, improve insulation, and encourage gardening
26th Street Affordable Housing; Kanner Architects; Santa Monica, California
Notable design elements:
- Uses dual-glazed and laminated windows to reduce traffic noise
- Linear design helps with cross ventilation, eliminating the need for roof-top air conditioning
Fair Oaks Commons; Dahlin Group; Redwood City, California
Notable design elements:
- Earned LEED Gold status
- Uses solar water heating and solar landscape lighting, drought-tolerant plantings, metal awnings, and sunshades to reduce heat gain
- An on-site service company provides assistance for residents, like job readiness programs and financial planning courses
Sources:
https://www.bdcnetwork.com/affordable-and-sublime-13-projects-represent-future-affordable-housing