Located steps from public transportation, the project site is tapered with one short side facing the street and one long side bounded by a public alley. The architect determined that increasing the density would make the most of the downtown location and site. Working closely with city officials, a rezoning allowed for the replacement of four dilapidated townhouses with a 16-unit apartment building. The four-story building features a green roof, courtyard and a linear garden. The garden creates a buffer for the west facing units while also transforming the alley into a safe and pleasant walking path. The bold exterior colors reflect the vibrant culture of the neighborhood. While the exterior is bold, the interior is serene and calm, with large, spacious units. Combining creativity with cues from the surrounding context resulted in a new model for urban living.