Watershed at Hillsdale
Portland, Oregon
Community Partners for Affordable Housing Located on a Red Electric Line stop in the 1920s, The Watershed at Hillsdale is designed to incorporate the community’s vision for the Hillsdale Town Center, the special needs of senior citizens and formerly homeless veterans, and sustainable development practices. The mixed-use building includes 51 apartments, activity and commercial spaces, and a public plaza.
A gateway to Hillsdale, the site presents numerous design challenges. To achieve higher density, yet be sensitive to the scale of the adjacent neighborhood, the landmark project is separated into two buildings connected by a bridge. Building ends are “stepped” to reduce scale and to provide roof gardens for residents. Connectivity to the community is achieved through incorporation of public activities onsite and through strong pedestrian connections to the neighborhood and adjacent bus lines. Parking for residents and employees is provided under the building. For security and to encourage residents to remain physically and mentally active, there are choices in the form of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, public and private spaces, and active and quiet spaces. The affordable housing budget threatened to limit the amount of sustainable features incorporated into the design of the building. Yet, with 15 different funding sources The Watershed received LEED Silver certification and regional and national recognition and awards for sustainability. Awards Received
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