Affordable Doesn't Have to be Abysmal

I was so in awe of the affordable housing we looked at in class, as well as what is featured on Design Advisor. What an incredible improvement upon the run-down, forgettable, hostile, failed examples that typically come to mind when the phrase "affordable housing" is used. The examples we looked at were instead, dignified, beautiful, thoughtful, and comforting resources for those who are so often denied membership in these categories. As far as the three examples I'll discuss for this post, I decided to choose a West Coast design, East Coast design, and landlocked design.

1. Murphy Ranch: Morgan Hill, California

I was impressed with the community building offered in this housing development-- I like the idea of a place set-aside for gathering, working, learning, and socializing. I also liked the inclusion of a wide variety of floorplans, ranging from few bedrooms to many. Many different breeds of people need affordable housing, so I appreciated their accommodations for this in their floorplans. I loved the idea of a solar-heated swimming pool! I always wanted a swimming pool (to be honest, I still do), and what better way to heat it than by using the sun. Additionally, I was impressed with the use of photovoltaic electricity, water-wise landscaping, and most of all, the Eco Pass that gives residents free access to public transit (which is also close in proximity!)

2. Cobb Hill: Hannover, Vermont

I was initially very impressed with this housing for the fact that it preserved agricultural lands. Rather than using the abandoned farmland for further building, Cobb Hill revived the land for community farming. Not only does this reduce urban heat island, it also provides habitat for organisms and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with importing food. This development provided community space not only via the farms, but by renovating the old barns to be gathering spaces as well. In way of eco-features, Cobb Hill had many. It featured separated parking, composting toilets, and harvesting the sun via intentional windows. Perhaps though, what I was most impressed with, was the inclusivity in design. In planning Cobb Hill, a variety of experts were consulted, but most importantly, citizens were consulted.

3. East Kelly Avenue: Jackson Hole, Wyoming

This development provides much needed affordability in an otherwise outrageously expensive resort town. I appreciated the inclusion of front porches for all of its units, as front porches act as powerful spaces for socializing and safety. This development also featured mid-block walkways that connected units and encouraged pedestrian/cyclist use between neighbors. Additionally, it was planned near businesses, bike routes, and public transportation hubs, which offers an excellent accessibility for its tenants. Finally, I appreciate their consciousness of landscaping in their installation of minimal evaporation sprinklers.

Overall, I was most impressed with Cobb Hill, and least impressed with East Kelly Avenue. Cobb Hill offered such a complete housing development-- expanding beyond the predictable amenities for residential use and adding in the benefits of ample community space, local food production, and extremely eco-friendly features. I also felt like the homes in this development were the most elegant of the three examples, and seemed to be built on a much more appropriate scale than the others. As for East Kelly Avenue, I felt like it made some good nods toward conscious planning, but still lacked pedestrian-centric design, missed opportunities for eco-friendly installations, and could've had even more water-wise landscaping via the removal of lawns.