Located in West Oakland, The Black Panther is a groundbreaking affordable housing community that supports very low-income and formerly incarcerated individuals. Working with local non-profit Oakland and the World Enterprise (OAW) and McCormack Barron Salazar (MBS), MWA helped design a five-story apartment building with residential, community, and commercial spaces. Situated just three blocks from BART, the development is a transit-oriented community with convenient access to downtown Oakland, San Francisco, and the entire Bay Area.

DESIGN

Incorporating both urban and residential design, the material palette at The Black Panther plays to the nature of its surroundings. A modern metal cladding façade faces the BART tracks, embracing the industrial design of the railway while also deflecting train noise. Stucco softens the façade that faces single-family homes, embracing the residential aspect of the neighborhood.

A 17-foot-tall bay entry opens to the ground floor lobby, where tenants can enter the residential podium level through a private stairway. Units and community spaces feature natural daylighting with tall windows.

The design focuses on green features, including energy efficiency through rooftop solar, efficient appliances, elevators, and building mechanical systems.

SUSTAINABILITY

The Black Panther incorporates various sustainable elements into its design. 7,900 SF of solar panels will be installed on the roof to generate clean energy for the community. The building design also includes solar shading devices on resident windows to maintain comfortable temperatures with accents of color. With dignified, healthy, and inclusive spaces, The Black Panther nurtures the community by providing residents with mixed-use housing and business opportunities.

This mixed-use development helps empower individuals facing extreme economic and employment barriers to take ownership of their lives by providing safe and accessible housing.