Affordable Housing

Rent is too damn high.  But building affordable housing that is also attractive and durable requires specific know-how.

Night-time ambience created through lighting
The renovation revealed historical murals in the corridors and lobby
The renovation revealed historical murals in the corridors and lobby

We took pains to address the specific needs of the expected population.  We designed for higher light levels at task planes, chose fixtures with good glare control and carefully managed contrast ratios to compensate for increased light scattering in aging eyes.

Historical photo of the facility in 1957, and today
Historical photo of the facility in 1957, and today

55 Laguna

A 1924 teaching college becomes 40 LGBT-centered residential units in the heart of San Francisco.  

We wanted the new lighting to create a welcoming, non-institutional atmosphere while peacefully coexisting with the many historical features of the Mission-Revival architecture.  

 

The lobby features wood planking reclaimed from the site.
The lobby features wood planking reclaimed from the site.

The project meets Greenpoint requirements for energy efficiency and light trespass.  Van Meter Williams Pollack, architect.

Town29

Our approach to this 215,000sqft, 162-unit market-rate complex required sensitivity to the many overlapping programs:  Activate the commercial streetscape on Telegraph while preserving the residential single-family character on 29th and 30th streets.  Build community with an appealing social courtyard amenity while controlling light trespass into adjacent units and properties.  Add a revenue stream with an amenity lounge that can be rented for special events, and maintain a residential feel while controlling costs in the half mile of unit corridors.   

This project was completed in partnership with Tucci Lighting.  MBH Architects.

Mail room lighting
Streetside ambience created through planter green wall lighting
Community room with dot-dash lighting scheme for both ambient social and concentrated task modes
Community room with dot-dash lighting scheme for both ambient social and concentrated task modes
Night-time courtyard ambient lighting

Wilton Court

This affordable housing project includes 59 rental apartments for low and very-low income households, with 21 of units dedicated to adults with developmental disabilities.

The project features a large amenity courtyard, which abuts existing single family residences.   We modeled the light levels extensively in calculation software to limit light trespass into units and adjacent properties while creating a warm, inviting ambiance.  Pyatok, Architect.

3D rendering of landscape lighting design
An early photometric study of the social courtyard. Left, the built design
Night-time ambience created through lighting
Sketched concept for a lobby lighting design
Lobby lighting concept

Coliseum Connections

Coliseum Connections is a 110-unit multifamily residential project adjacent to the Oakland Coliseum station.  The units are a mix of 50% affordable and 50% market rate.  

Corridor lighting for an affordable housing project

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The Speakeasy

The Speakeasy is an immersive theater experience that imagines a sprawling prohibition-era speakeasy