Making Affordable Housing that Looks Market-Rate
The Boston Society of Architects recently awarded 22 Tarrytown Road Workforce Housing with its Housing Design Award Citation.
By Andie Lowenstein, Digital Associate Editor
Boston—The Boston Society of Architects (BSA) recently awarded 22 Tarrytown Road Workforce Housing with its Housing Design Award Citation at the BSA Design Awards Gala in Boston.
Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC (MAP) worked with Westhab Inc. to design the affordable three-story rental development with 28 rental units for workforce families. The new structure replaces a worn down motel that was used as a homeless shelter.
The jury commented, “With massing articulated in a series of vertical volumes to break up its horizontality, this well-designed project looks great—not at all like affordable housing.”
Demand for the units overpowered initial community resistance to the project—450 applications were filed for 28 available units ranging from studios to two-bedrooms for low-income individuals and families.
The design of the building maximizes the level of daylight supplied to the units with lavish fenestrations and glazing. The east and west exposures are controlled by sunshade features like balconies, wood shutters and awnings.
The 6,000 square foot green roof is designed to reduce peak storm water runoff. The property is generously landscaped with native flora and fauna creating a natural buffer along property lines.
The building recently received LEED for Homes certification at the Silver level and is compliant with NYSERDA Energy Star and NYSERDA Multi-family Performance Program.
