public housing and urban design

Rehabilitating existing public housing developments is a critical step in increasing the social well being of the population.  Our design philosophy starts with the site.  We implement urban design principles consistent with both the current and projected needs of the population and evaluate both the existing and desired unit mix.  Reconfiguring the site, renovating existing units, and creating a safe accessible environment that replaces the existing obsolete building materials, have given our clients modernized developments.

Three story buildings after  

Three story buildings before

SANA Apartments ; Hartford, CT

Located in the Clay Arsenal neighborhood of Hartford, the SANA apartments complex contains 10 low rise buildings and a ten story tower totaling 256 units of public housing.  Both the apartment configuration and the urban design philosophy of the 1970's was no longer meeting the needs of the current occupants.  The renovations to the structures included providing accessible housing where none existed, adding individual entrances to each apartment by eliminating the open community stairs, and enhancing the overall appearance of the structures by removing the existing stucco finish and installing new clapboard siding, and adding pitched roofs.  The interior of each structure has been completely renovated; bringing all the units up to code, expanding the living space and providing a new heating and air conditioning system.

The existing site design allowed free access for the general public throughout the entire area creating an unsafe environment for the residents.  Our new site design reduced both pedestrian and vehicular access.   By placing the parking closer to the dwelling units, relocating existing pedestrian walks, and adding fencing and landscaping around the perimeter, we have created a more controllable and safer environment.   The existing playscape was in a state of disrepair and open space for the senior population was nonexistent.  By repairing the existing equipment, adding new accessible playscape components, and creating usable open space for the senior population, the families have safe, accessible recreation spaces.

Rice Heights; Hartford, CT

Located on a former public housing site, this development reduced an existing high density site and replaced it with fifty new single family homes. A variety of housing styles and colors has been used to integrate the homes into the existing contours creating a unique neighborhood.  It has provided an opportunity for first time home owners to live in a safe development within an urban environment with usable open space.

recent public housing developments

Martin Luther King Housing, Hartford CT

Sheldon Co-Op Housing, Hartford CT

Northeast Hartford Affordable Housing, Hartford CT