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.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont