Valencia Gardens | San Francisco, CA

Mixed Income Housing Reconnects Neighborhood

DESCRIPTION

New public streets and private backyards transformed a failed housing project into a livable community in San Francisco’s Mission District. The 300,000 sq. ft. Valencia Gardens complex includes 260 dwelling units, spacious community, day care and learning centers, a play area for children and a plaza with a sculpture garden. Four-story buildings line the primary public access streets and three story buildings flank the interior blocks. Furthering the mix, homes for seniors are mingled with mixed-income affordable family housing units. Exterior entryways, with individual house numbers, porches, stoops and walkups have helped reduce crime, restoring a sense of security and encouraging a sense of ownership and community interaction.

VISION

This project knits a diverse community into the heart of a vital neighborhood, anchoring it with essential resources, providing support to an underserved, at-risk population and dramatically transforming and improving an area plagued with high crime rates.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Develop a safe, supported community, integrated with a vibrant neighborhood.

AWARDS

  • AIA National HUD Secretary’s Housing Creating Community Connection Award, 2008
  • San Francisco Business Times, Affordable Housing Project of the Year, 2007
  • AIA San Francisco Urban Design Special Commendation Award, 2007
  • Golden Nugget Award of Merit, Best Affordable Project-30 du/ acre or more, 2007

PROJECT INFORMATION

  • Building size/acres: 300,000 sq.ft./5 acre
  • Number of units – density: 260 units – 52 du/ac
  • Completion: September 2006

DESIGN FEATURES

  • Client: Mission Housing
  • Re-introduction of streets into site to continue urban fabric
  • Concrete Formliner finish structural walls creating strong street level bay rhythm
  • Urban art – sculptures, paintings and photography by local artist at public spaces

Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP