Richardson Apartments

Work

The incredible public spaces are great; [the architects] didn’t give up on or compromise on anything even though it’s affordable.”

Residential Architect Awards Jury

Modern Designs For Affordable Housing: An award winning project in downtown San Francisco

Part of a broader revitalization plan for a dense urban neighborhood, the Richardson Apartments are a premier example of mixed-use affordable housing. The five-story, 65,000-sf project includes 120 studio units for low-income residents, social service and medical office space, common areas, a landscaped courtyard and retail space. The structural system consists of four stories of wood-framed residential space over a podium consisting of reinforced concrete.

Location:

San Francisco, California

Area:

65,000-sf

Size:

5 stories

Units:

120

Service:

Structural

Industries:

Multi-Family Residential

Primary Material:

Wood

Project Highlights

The project was one of the first tangible effects of the Market + Octavia Neighborhood Plan, a 2007 master plan that calls for dense, transit-oriented housing over retail and streets geared towards pedestrians and bicyclists rather than cars.
A south-facing courtyard is arranged around a mural - a paint-and-glass mosaic of dancers.
The courtyard features an open grand staircase that reduces reliance on the elevator and encourages interaction between residents.
The retail and office space incorporates social services, including a work-training program for residents and a counseling center.