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TC Architects - On the Boards
AKRON METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY - EDGEWOOD VILLAGE SOUTH
The proposed Edgewood Village South Project involves the new construction of a 50-unit, affordable rental property on the near west side of Akron, Ohio. Edgewood Village South is part of Edgewood Village HOPE VI Revitalization Project, all of which have been developed upon the design concepts and principles of New Urbanism.
These 50 units will consist of two and three bedroom duplex and triplex units with generous unit size, high-quality construction and superior aesthetic appeal. Edgewood Village South will reflect the design elements featured in the development of Phases 1 and 4 of the Edgewood Village HOPE VI Revitalization
The hallmark of New Urbanism communities is their respect for the existing neighborhood’s architectural content in which the new units blend seamlessly into the fabric of the immediate area. Each home will mirror the surrounding neighborhood’s simplified Victorian home design, many of which display craftsman-style accents. Large front porches define the point of arrival for these two-story, turn-of-the-century homes. These units have been designed to appeal to renters and to be highly competitive in the Akron market.
The AMHA believes that a New Urbanism based design approach will create the type of neighborhood that will enhance the accessibility to community amenities including the Akron Zoo, local library, Lane Field Park, new Akron Urban League center, and attract new neighborhood retail establishments. The Housing Authority also places an emphasis on creating a sustainable community whose residents are or will become self-sufficient and help create a safer and stronger community. To complement this effort, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design concepts have been incorporated into the design of Edgewood Village South. The design fully embraces and reflects the concept of ‘defendable spaces.’
Conscious of the population that will share the communal space, AMHA has developed an appropriate building design and site layout to foster the concept of “neighborhoods,” which includes: large front porches to encourage socialization between neighbors; building design and site layout affording the residents an “eye to the street”; street lighting is spaced at 50 foot intervals with fully illuminated pedestrian walkways; and traffic calming devices that include the vacation of Mallison Avenue as a through street.
The exteriors of these units are designed for longevity and low maintenance with a brick wrap-around on the first floor while the second floor exterior is fiber cement lap siding. The concrete patios have privacy walls constructed of split face block that complements the color of the units’ face brick. Added security features include: Door key system will be a proprietary system provided by Schlage, available only to individuals authorized by AMHA and registered with Schlage; and CCTV Security Systems that monitor and record the development’s activities on a 24-hour basis.
The interior of the units range in size from 1,150 square feet of living space in the two-bedroom units and up to 1,388 square feet of living space in the three-bedroom units. All units will comply with the “OHFA Development Features Agreement for 2010,” as applicable, including Universal Design Concepts, a comprehensive, unit-specific, amenities package superior to the existing affordable housing options in the Akron area.
Additionally, this project proudly meets the various requirements for the ‘Green Community’ designation. It is designed to promote energy efficiency, offers ‘walkable’ neighborhoods with close proximity to services, offers attractive landscaping with erosion control and uses a wide variety of energy efficient appliances and lighting options. This project will also promote a healthy living environment as the result of the use of ‘green’ construction materials such as extra insulation and ‘green-friendly’ floor coverings. Edgewood Village had previously secured a Green Community grant.
The Edgewood Village South site is an urban infill site within an existing neighborhood, consisting of a variety of mixed uses including residential, commercial and public facilities. The site plan has been carefully designed with respect for the existing neighborhood context, network of pedestrian-friendly streets, mixing of uses and unit types, and a variety of meaningful open spaces.
The Edgewood Village HOPE VI Revitalization Project is a key and necessary component in the comeback of this neighborhood. It is essential that the Housing Authority address the matter comprehensively. New housing is an essential element that will invite other investments in a neighborhood that has been overlooked for decades.
These 50 units will consist of two and three bedroom duplex and triplex units with generous unit size, high-quality construction and superior aesthetic appeal. Edgewood Village South will reflect the design elements featured in the development of Phases 1 and 4 of the Edgewood Village HOPE VI Revitalization
The hallmark of New Urbanism communities is their respect for the existing neighborhood’s architectural content in which the new units blend seamlessly into the fabric of the immediate area. Each home will mirror the surrounding neighborhood’s simplified Victorian home design, many of which display craftsman-style accents. Large front porches define the point of arrival for these two-story, turn-of-the-century homes. These units have been designed to appeal to renters and to be highly competitive in the Akron market.
The AMHA believes that a New Urbanism based design approach will create the type of neighborhood that will enhance the accessibility to community amenities including the Akron Zoo, local library, Lane Field Park, new Akron Urban League center, and attract new neighborhood retail establishments. The Housing Authority also places an emphasis on creating a sustainable community whose residents are or will become self-sufficient and help create a safer and stronger community. To complement this effort, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design concepts have been incorporated into the design of Edgewood Village South. The design fully embraces and reflects the concept of ‘defendable spaces.’
Conscious of the population that will share the communal space, AMHA has developed an appropriate building design and site layout to foster the concept of “neighborhoods,” which includes: large front porches to encourage socialization between neighbors; building design and site layout affording the residents an “eye to the street”; street lighting is spaced at 50 foot intervals with fully illuminated pedestrian walkways; and traffic calming devices that include the vacation of Mallison Avenue as a through street.
The exteriors of these units are designed for longevity and low maintenance with a brick wrap-around on the first floor while the second floor exterior is fiber cement lap siding. The concrete patios have privacy walls constructed of split face block that complements the color of the units’ face brick. Added security features include: Door key system will be a proprietary system provided by Schlage, available only to individuals authorized by AMHA and registered with Schlage; and CCTV Security Systems that monitor and record the development’s activities on a 24-hour basis.
The interior of the units range in size from 1,150 square feet of living space in the two-bedroom units and up to 1,388 square feet of living space in the three-bedroom units. All units will comply with the “OHFA Development Features Agreement for 2010,” as applicable, including Universal Design Concepts, a comprehensive, unit-specific, amenities package superior to the existing affordable housing options in the Akron area.
Additionally, this project proudly meets the various requirements for the ‘Green Community’ designation. It is designed to promote energy efficiency, offers ‘walkable’ neighborhoods with close proximity to services, offers attractive landscaping with erosion control and uses a wide variety of energy efficient appliances and lighting options. This project will also promote a healthy living environment as the result of the use of ‘green’ construction materials such as extra insulation and ‘green-friendly’ floor coverings. Edgewood Village had previously secured a Green Community grant.
The Edgewood Village South site is an urban infill site within an existing neighborhood, consisting of a variety of mixed uses including residential, commercial and public facilities. The site plan has been carefully designed with respect for the existing neighborhood context, network of pedestrian-friendly streets, mixing of uses and unit types, and a variety of meaningful open spaces.
The Edgewood Village HOPE VI Revitalization Project is a key and necessary component in the comeback of this neighborhood. It is essential that the Housing Authority address the matter comprehensively. New housing is an essential element that will invite other investments in a neighborhood that has been overlooked for decades.
330.867.1093