Mixed-use project in Sacramento bringing together affordable housing, commercial uses, and community activation.

In collaboration with Mercy Housing, Mogavero Architects submitted a design proposal for 119 units of affordable family style housing for residents and workers in the Central City Area. In addition to the residential uses, the building also provides commercial uses and community activation.

The proposed 1.2 acre project will provide affordable housing serving a diversity of households with units ranging from studio to three-bedrooms. It will activate and redevelop a vacant warehouse in a dynamic area of downtown Sacramento creating a vibrant and diverse community with a range of income levels. The unit size will allow this community to truly serve as a low-income workforce community by meeting the varying needs of the local workers, from solo dwellers to large families. The location along the R Street Corridor and just a few blocks from the Light Rail will allow residents to engage in a walkable and connected community.

This dynamic, mixed-use project is designed to activate communities and connect residents to services with the goal of helping individuals improve their economic, health, and social wellbeing. There are two commercial spaces on the ground floor of the building, anchoring the corners of the lot. The smaller space will be designed for a restaurant tenant with outdoor seating and indoor-outdoor flow while the larger space will be designed for an office or nonprofit, totaling 8,755 square feet. These commercial spaces increase pedestrian activity through the area and the design provides an engaging street frontage.

Within the historic context, the building is designed to be consistent with contemporary construction technology and the various form and urban design requirements that result from the local plans and cultural differences, most significantly as a place to live versus a place to warehouse goods. The design reflects the historic warehouse architecture in the area with steel awnings and balconies and brick design elements.

Much of the ground floor has active functions and gathering spaces for the community including 10,000 square feet of shared courtyards. South-facing courtyards that open to the street provide light and air to the individual units as well as outdoor spaces providing a connection between the building community and the larger neighborhood. Balconies are associated with many of the private residences to optimize surveillance and connectivity with the neighborhood.

SPECIALIZED APPROACHES

• Photovoltaic panels
• Passive solar control
• Electrical occupancy sensors
• Natural Ventilation