Parkview Terrace

The vision for the 101-unit concrete and glass building was creating an open relationship between the interior spaces and their larger city context.

Fougeron Architecture was selected, after a competitive process, to collaborate with Kwan Henmi Architecture and resolve the many challenges inherent in this affordable, senior housing project. It had complex city and community reviews of design and programming; complicated financing issues; and a difficult site on a former freeway location in San Francisco.

The vision for the 101-unit concrete and glass building was creating an open relationship between the interior spaces and their larger city context. Outdated designs that would have patronized the elderly low-income residents through false quaintness were rejected.

The building's innovative shape and unit arrangement met the site's challenges and ensured affordability. The L-shaped volume engages different street-level contexts and gives all units ample natural light and park views.

The most striking innovation was in the updated façades. The north- and south-facing exteriors replace the traditional bay-window rhythm of the San Francisco street with glassy waves. Along with the undulation of the window bays, exterior bands extend and expose the floor slabs. This mitigates building scale and creates visual interest.

Publications

2008/10 Architectural Record

Awards

2009 Builder's Choice Design & Planning Award

2009 Affordable Housing Finance Magazine-Readers' Choice

2009 AIA EB Merit Award

2008 Affordable Housing Finance Magazine-Readers' Choice

2008 Multi- Housing News Design Excellence- Honorable Mention

2008 Gold Nugget Merit Award