Lakeside Senior Apartments wins Excellence in Affordable Housing Design Award

By Donna Kimora | Affordable Housing Finance | July 14, 2016

A 92-unit development that’s home to some of the neediest seniors in Oakland, Calif., has earned the Excellence in Affordable Housing Design Award from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the American Institute of Architects. Developed by Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, Lakeside Senior Apartments is designed by David Baker Architects.

The high-density housing—138 units per acre—provides indoor and outdoor community spaces at both the ground floor and upper levels. Certified LEED Platinum, the five-story project features solar hot water panels and photovoltaic electric panels to reduce the use of energy in the common areas. A ground-floor community room includes a kitchen and TV lounge as well as space for activities—from art programs to monthly resident town hall meetings. This community space opens wide to the courtyard, creating a flexible indoor-outdoor plaza.

The private space offers views to the neighborhood and is visible to passersby, balancing security and transparency and connecting the building to the life of the larger neighborhood. Lakeside Senior also features a fifth-floor suite of community spaces that include rooftop garden plots for residents, a community room and kitchen, outdoor decks, and a wellness studio—used for stretching and tai chi sessions.

This suite overlooks Lake Merritt, maximizing views for the greatest number of users. 2016 HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Awards were also presented to developments in Illinois, Texas, and Washington. “Each of these developments are innovative housing opportunities offering seniors and families alike a place to thrive,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro in a statement. “These winners prove that affordable and accessible housing can become part of the fabric of any neighborhood and reinforce the principles of inclusiveness and opportunity.” Read full article here.

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