Aloha Housing

Site informs dynamic massing design of affordable housing building

The Aloha Affordable Housing project is providing 82 homes that fill an urgent need in the area. SEA’s design includes dynamic massing and a simple material palette to create a timeless building. The development is a mix of studio, 1, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. The complex’s amenities include a community gathering space with a communal kitchen and a private courtyard for residents to enjoy. The building is targeting Earth Advantage Gold.

Client
BRIDGE Housing

Location
Aloha, OR

Size
78,000 sf
82 Apartments

Year
Coming Fall 2023

SEA’s design for Aloha Affordable Housing is responsive to the site’s atypical shape and is informed by its location within the neighborhood. We shifted the C-shaped building’s forms to address property lines that are not parallel, and after these shifts, the entry form became the bridge between the two residential wings.

graphics showing how they shifted the building's massing at different angles

We oriented the building on the site so that the pedestrian entry is located on 174th Avenue, a commonly used walking path to public transportation and services. The parking lot is entered using SW Alexander Street, considered a community connector for vehicular traffic in Aloha.

We chose a deep blue color for the recessed entrance that calls to mind a front porch. When people enter they are greeted by the community room and a view of the outdoor courtyard. The resident courtyard features a playground, a BBQ, seating, and raised garden beds. The courtyard is also encircled by a low fence for child safety.

The building’s exterior materiality is informed by the residential neighborhood. The first floor is a warm terracotta color with a brick-like texture that feels traditional and solid. The upper levels are a cream color and are meant to feel airy and light. The building’s perimeter is landscaped using drought-resistant plantings, offering a green buffer between the structure and the street.

The interior is open, bright, and welcoming. The design’s shifting forms create a sense of movement in the building’s circulation and add individual identities to different areas. Elevator lobbies and the ends of corridors have large windows to let natural light fill the space.

To help achieve Earth Advantage Gold certification sustainability features are implemented throughout the development. The roof is solar-ready, offering the potential to generate energy onsite. The building uses enhanced insulation, low-flow plumbing fixtures, low-VOC materials, and LED lighting. Each apartment also has increased ventilation to maintain the quality of air.