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AIA Awards Housing Projects

The list of winners includes a loft building, an affordable public housing project, a green community, and an apartment for a wheelchair user.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 7/3/2008 12:00:00 AM

K Lofts in San Diego by Jonathan Segal Architect.

The American Institute of Architects has announced the winners of the 2008 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards, recognizing excellence and innovation in housing design. This year, the awards program consisted of four categories: affordable housing architecture, neighborhood design, participatory design, and accessibility.

Projects include a loft building, a mixed-use affordable public housing project, a green community, and an apartment for a wheelchair user.

Valencia Gardens in San Francisco by Van Meter Williams Pollack.

Excellence in Affordable Housing Design Award
K Lofts, San Diego by Jonathan Segal Architect

Located in downtown San Diego, this 9,000-square-foot, nine-unit loft building offers both market rate and affordable units for a very low income bracket, without sacrificing on design. It operates on 50 percent renewable electricity.

Creating Community Connection Award
Valencia Gardens, San Francisco by Van Meter Williams Pollack with Associate Architect Martinez Architects, for Mission Housing Development Corporation

Rising from the ashes of a failed existing urban development, Valencia Gardens is a HOPE VI federally funded, mixed-use affordable public housing project. It is praised for its community integration and juxtaposition of materials and color.

Greenbridge in White Center, Washington by GGLO.

Community-Informed Design Award
Greenbridge in White Center, Washington by GGLO, with Associate Architect Arellano/Christofides for King County Housing Authority

Community involvement led to the success of Greenbridge, a 100-acre HOPE VI redevelopment. The mixed-income, green-designed project includes 1,000 low-income workforce rental and for-sale homes. "Creating community is a challenge even to think about with a project of this size, and the architects deserve credit for coming up with this master plan that gives the team a chance to look and see what's coming," the jury noted.

Housing Accessibility—Alan J. Rothman Award
Patrolia Loft, Boston by Ruhl Walker Architects for Brian Patrolia

Ruhl Walker Architects based its plan for this existing concrete-shell apartment on the idea that accessible design should be attractive design. "The project has a longer lineage in the sense that accessibility is not its main definer over its lifestyle," the jury said. "Design itself creates a dynamic that is inspiring in terms of accessibility, for example the inclusion of carpeting, using standard cabinets in an unusual way. Why don't they do this more often?"

More information on each project is available at the AIA.

Images courtesy of the AIA.