Allison Arieff explodes the unspoken myth that public housing must look cheap and unattractive, citing some stellar examples of affordable design.
"Conventional thinking on affordability proceeds from the misguided premise that anything well-designed will be, and look, expensive so it follows that design should not be a priority," writes Arieff.
"Further, the argument goes, anything well-designed will be too appealing to eligible to tenants, thus discouraging them from ever leaving."
David Baker Architects' Armstrong Place in San Francisco is just one example presented by Arieff of a project that bucks the trend by using bright colors and including spaces for gardens.
FULL STORY: Affordable Housing That Doesn't Scream 'Affordable'
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions