Esperanza Village Family + Veterans Housing
Location
Madera
Sq. Ft.
22,500
Year Completed
2021
Construction Partner
The City of Madera, The Pacific Companies
The Madera Veterans and Multi-Family Housing projects are situated on two sites diagonally across from each other at the intersection of 5th Street and C Street in downtown Madera, California. Located off the main commercial thoroughfare, this project brings much-needed affordable housing to this rural farming community. The projects benefit from the values shared by all project stakeholders—The City of Madera, The Pacific Companies (developer), and Paul Halajian Architects—to provide good design for this community to move forward with a strong precedent for future affordable housing projects. With both projects designed and constructed concurrently, the same exterior materials, similar massing, articulation, and colors impart a sense of consistency and substance.
Veterans Housing
Located in Downtown Madera, the Veterans Housing project is one of the first multi-family projects in the city’s core. It was designed exclusively for formerly homeless veterans. With 28 studio and one-bedroom units, ranging from 460 square feet to 560 square feet, the design offers maximized natural light and provides open living spaces that allow for rehabilitation and independent living in a humane and inclusive environment.
Careful consideration was given to safety and accessibility. Circulation is slightly wider than ordinary, common areas are organized with clear lines of sight, and access for entry/exit was made as simple as possible, all in consideration of varying gait characteristics and supporting ease of mobility for ambulatory veterans.
Multi-Family Housing
This project, designed for families, is situated on the diagonal corner from the Veterans Housing project. This project demonstrates how purposeful design can improve how we live.
Although on an extremely small urban site of 22,500 square feet, the project pro forma necessitated 20 units ranging from 800 square feet to 1,110 square feet. The building is wrapped around an interior courtyard allowing for direct visual access from all units on all three floors directly into the active space. An emphasis on open spaces for socializing with clear lines of sight for monitoring children supports and encourages a sense of safety and community.
Playgrounds, outdoor/site furniture, pavers, and trees help to soften the active space.
Along the exterior balconies at each unit is a “coffee lookout” ledge. These counters, integrated into the balcony railing, allows guardians a place to set a mug or an iPad, while monitoring children playing below or connecting socially with neighbors. A covered open patio on the third floor connects residents to street life below and provides yet another space for interaction and social engagement.
