“A Recipe for Chic Senior Housing

San Francisco based Leddy Maytum Stacy has created a unique low-income housing development that is not only senior citizen friendly but also a stylish addition to the neighborhood. Located in Oakland’s Chinatown near a BART station, Merritt Crossing provides safe, sleek, and affordable transit-oriented housing for up to 70 low-income seniors.

Leddy Maytum Stacy worked closely with theAffordable Housing Associates non-profit to create a space that challenged most institutional designs. The multi-colored facade is vibrant and includes a number of screened panels that act as trellises to support living plants. Many rooms have balconies that are recessed into the building to provide a shaded outdoor space that is also protected from nearby traffic noise. A community room and kitchen encourage social interaction and support while a garden and courtyard immediately outside foster leisure activities and outdoor relaxation.

The firm’s design is also slated to be stock full of eco-friendly features. Rooftop solar panels provide heat and electricity while hidden planters help retain storm water. Recycled metal framing is used around the outer facade while floor to ceiling windows create bright, sunny public spaces that are also well ventilated. Even the parking garage is wrapped in green screen panels that will eventually grow a vertical garden along the sidewalk. Leddy Maytum and Stacy not only expects the building to receive LEED platinum status but also score highly withEnergy Star, GreenPoint, and Bay Friendly landscaping.

With community care in mind, the firm and non-profit have also set aside almost half of the residence for formerly homeless or in danger of becoming homeless people.”

Via: Architizer

Photo: All photos courtesy of Tim Griffith