Massing

The form of the new building, while molding to its site between existing buildings, simultaneously expresses a clear programmatic hierarchy and finds opportunities for views and access to outdoors for the building occupants. The project uses a language of materiality to communicate functions with moments of expression. The concrete podium is exposed to reinforce a datum established by the existing storefront height of the historic building. The exposed podium continues this datum across the site and defines the separation between uses above and below. Below the podium is all retail and parking facilities, and above is residential. The residential components are clad in a mix of brick, corrugated metal, and cement board, each expressing a unique logic. The brick veneer is strategically used at the lower three residential levels to reinforce the existing masonry height of neighboring buildings. This masonry volume is then capped with an additional two levels of corrugated metal, which returns down to the podium when adjacent to the historic 324 building, creating a visual separation between old context and new construction while still responding to contextual cues. The cement board siding demarcates the moments of inner-block removal, where the building is cored for a courtyard and setback from property lines to allow access to light and air deep into the footprint of the site.

Interior Circulation

Within the building, the circuitous internal corridors are enhanced with numerous moments of interest: opportunities for rest and gathering at stairwells and elevators, expanded glazing along the courtyard perimeter, and the exposed original heavy timber structure within 324. Each apartment features large casement windows for uninterrupted views of the surrounding city and courtyard, and the majority of apartments feature a balcony for direct access to private outdoor space. Among the 164 residential units, the design proposes three varying unit types: studios, 1 bedroom, and 2 bedrooms. The variety of unit types and apartment floor plans offer residents a wide range of flexibility and more dynamic activity within the overall building.