Adding 106 units of much-needed affordable housing, the new St. Francis Park Apartments bridges Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District and the residential Buckman neighborhood. Some of the units are set aside for victims of domestic violence and the formerly homeless.
Featuring 77 studio apartments, 28 one-bedroom apartments, and one two-bedroom apartment, the design thoughtfully reflects the simplicity of nearby industrial buildings. Keeping the layout and massing efficient allowed the design team to incorporate a quality material palette and provide a variety of outdoor spaces that will serve to foster a sense of community.
The sloping site presents substantial street frontage on all four sides. Like a pinwheel that moves and responds, the building design adapts to its context on every street frontage.
Activating Stark St. without retail was the challenge. A double volume community room and lobby bridge the level change between the two street corners.
A sky bridge connects the two buildings and overlooks the community deck below. Daylight and connections to the outdoor spaces were emphasized throughout the corridors. A sharing library alcove with shelving built from reclaimed wood on the site activates the circulation.
Francis & Clare Commons is a vacated street alongside the St. Francis courtyard. Our site team, including Lango Hansen Landscape Architects and KPFF Consulting Engineers, worked closely with the adjacent parish and local homeless population to program this green street and create a peaceful natural environment within the city.
Our team met with both the neighborhood association and business association early on to garner support for the project. The large courtyard formed by our building combined with the adjacent Commons give a substantial green space back to the community.
