Merritt Crossing Senior Apts in Oakland, California by Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Article source: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Located at the edge of Oakland’s Chinatown, this new affordable senior housing transforms an abandoned site near a busy freeway into a community asset for disadvantaged or formerly homeless seniors while setting a high standard for sustainable and universal design.

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith 

• Architects: Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
• Project: Merritt Crossing Senior Apts
• Location: Oakland, California, USA
• Photography: Tim Griffith
• Project Owner: Satellite Affordable Housing Associates
• Project Completion Date: July, 2012
• Project Site: Brownfield Site
• Project Type: Residential – Multi-Family 5 or more units
• Building Gross Floor Area: 50,000 square feet
• Total project cost at time of completion, land excluded: $18,000,000.00

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

The high-density, transit-oriented project is one of the first new developments planned near the Lake Merritt BART regional transit station. The upper floor apartments respond to the character of the eclectic Pan-Asian neighborhood with colorful and varied porous facades that reflect their orientation. The south façade features an independent screen that provides shading, privacy and acoustical modulation while enlivening the view of passing freeway drivers.

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

On the ground floor, the footprint for the required parking has been minimized in order to concentrate the communal uses and support services and link them to a sunny garden courtyard. A high level of transparency at the ground floor enhances security, mitigates senior isolation and strengthens a connection to the community. The 70 apartments are all reserved for seniors with incomes between 30% and 50% of area median. Over half of the apartments were set aside for seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, living with HIV/AIDS or challenged by mental illness.

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

Image Courtesy © Tim Griffith

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Image courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Tags: California

Category: Apartments

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