Innovative Design: Raising the Bar

Architects achieve high-end design on limited budgets.

8 MIN READ
Designed by David Baker Architects, The Rivermark in West Sacramento, Calif., features a second-level podium courtyard that serves as the heart of the development. Balconies, decks, and patios surround the courtyard, which helps to blend the public and private space.

Mariko Reed

Designed by David Baker Architects, The Rivermark in West Sacramento, Calif., features a second-level podium courtyard that serves as the heart of the development. Balconies, decks, and patios surround the courtyard, which helps to blend the public and private space.

The bar for the quality of architectural design in affordable housing is being raised. In most instances, new affordable housing developments are indistinguishable from higher-end market-rate communities, no longer looking like the boxes of the past.

“What we’re seeing now is a continued improvement of the quality of the design for affordable housing,” says Fernando Villa, a principal at Magnusson Architecture and Planning. “It should look as beautiful as any market-rate project. You really want to push the envelope in design with a limited budget.”

Michael Wiencek, president of Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners, agrees. “No matter what the budget, we should be able to win an award. If you don’t hit the envelope and create innovative ways [to achieve] higher end, you end up with the affordable housing of the past.”

Architects also work to ensure that developments connect with the surrounding community as well as residents’ needs.

“Being creative is a necessity because it’s not just about building housing or apartments, but about creating a home and a community that work for residents in harmony with the broader neighborhood,” says David Obitz, design principal at KTGY Architecture + Planning.

Looking ahead, David Baker of David Baker Architects says modular construction will receive stronger consideration. “It’s maturing and cutting a year off a construction schedule and saving some money. Site building is primitive,” he says, adding that modular building has its challenges, but it still is proving to be more efficient.

Read about more innovative design in affordable housing on the following pages.

About the Author

Christine Serlin

Christine Serlin is an editor for Affordable Housing Finance, Multifamily Executive, and Builder. She has covered the affordable housing industry since 2001. Before that, she worked at several daily newspapers, including the Contra Costa Times and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Connect with Christine at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @ChristineSerlin.