Alberta Art House

Community-based affordable homeownership in Northeast Portland

A sense of community and ownership inform every aspect of Alberta Art House. These townhouses are located in Northeast Portland and will be available to purchase, an exciting approach to expanding access to affordable home ownership. The development is characterized by accessible and sustainable dwellings, secluded and communal outdoor space, and responsive elements influenced by the site’s neighborhood and historic context. The architecture balances individuality and cohesion, creating moments of connection and togetherness between the separate homes while still ensuring privacy and distinction.

Client
Community Development Partners

Location
Portland, OR

Size
8 Townhomes

Year
Estimated 2026

Scott Edwards Architecture is collaborating with two community-focused developers to realize this project’s vision; Community Development Partners, who owns the undeveloped property, and Self Enhancement, Inc., a multi-service organization focused on helping Black youth and families. The mission of Alberta Art House is to welcome back displaced and longtime residents to this historically Black neighborhood as part of the larger Alberta Alive initiative. Alberta Art House is also part of Proud Ground Land Trust, a Community Land Trust with the mission to make permanent, generational homeownership possible for marginalized communities.

The development’s siting and massing are informed by a desire for both privacy and opportunities for connection. Instead of a traditional L-shaped building, SEA created two parallel buildings, each with 4 townhomes. This approach defines a central courtyard and positions several front porches to be facing internally, encouraging passive and active engagement with neighbors. While facing, home entries are also pushed back, pulled forward, and staggered in massing shifts, creating movement and promoting the individual identity of each dwelling. Street-facing entries apply the same approach. Townhomes have a private back porch and bedroom windows are placed toward the backyard for increased privacy.

Each of the 8, 3-story townhouses has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, designed with families in mind. Sustainability goals include meeting 2030 carbon-neutral goals and receiving National Green Building Standard certification. All appliances and lighting will be Energy Star-rated or DLC-qualified. Building systems will also be 100% electric and feature heat pump hot water heaters. The design prioritizes a high-quality standard for all elements, allowing families to thrive in the new place they call home.