Leigh Avenue Senior Apartments is a four-story affordable housing development in San Jose, California providing 64 dwelling units over commercial spaces and parking below. The transit oriented project put occupant wellness and environmental sustainability at the top of the project’s goals. It was designed to achieve LEED Platinum and is a pilot project for the Healthy Building Network’s HomeFree Initiative, whose goal is to improve the health of residents in affordable housing by using healthier building materials. 

In addition to the considerations necessary to make an affordable housing project feasible, unique features and services were implemented to best support the needs of the formerly homeless seniors who the project was designed for - encouraging a sense of ability to live autonomously. Such features include adoption of additional security and safety measures, such as re-working the lobby desk area to serve as a safe command center for the building and adding smart devices like range hood fire suppression and shut off timers on electric ranges. In addition to architectural features, the residents receive access to services provided by Abode Services, who adheres to the best practices for a permanent supportive housing community, including Housing First and Harm Reduction, and fosters residents’ housing stability and wellness.

Located at the corner of two large busy streets, the ground floor orientation was a major driving factor for building design. Providing accessible urban commercial spaces at the street level, medical offices to serve the residents, creates protection and community for the living units above. Zig-zagging along the north-west intersection, the layout introduces opportunities for tranquil gardens at the ground floor and abundant natural daylight above to penetrate the building across a large surface area. This, in-turn, creates a generous raised south-facing open space acting as the community courtyard and gardens that is sheltered from the noise and public access and overlooked from the unit balconies above, which also enjoy stunning views beyond of the greater Bay Area. Mid-level rooftops are filled with pollinator gardens while the top of the building is covered in photovoltaic panels to power the common areas of the building. 

To create a sense of community, shared amenity spaces include laundry, computer, and community rooms and abundant outdoor spaces such as the courtyard, community gardens, and an outdoor terrace on the fourth floor. All floors are served by an elevator and universal design principles are implemented throughout. As an urban transit-oriented infill project located within 1,550 feet of a light rail station, all individuals are given a free annual transit pass for bus and rail rides throughout Santa Clara County to encourage the use of public transit.

As a LEED Platinum certified project, climate resiliency and resident security were key drivers of the design. Sustainable features include PV which powers all community spaces, native drought-tolerant pollinator gardens, healthy material choices, and water efficiency.

As an urban transit-oriented infill project located within 1,550 feet of a light rail station, all individuals are given a free annual transit pass for bus and rail rides throughout Santa Clara County to encourage the use of public transit.

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