LOCATION
Portland, Maine
AWARD-WINNER
2016 Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in Green Housing
2016 Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG): Recognition Award for Best Practice in Housing Diversity, Smart Growth/Downtown Revitalization and Sustainability
2016 National Readers’ Choice Award: Honored by Housing Finance Magazine for excellence in affordable housing design and community integration
2015 'The gold standard for affordable housing’ Portland Press Herald
An innovative affordable housing community that combines healthy living, urban agriculture, and shared wellness spaces to foster connection and vitality in downtown Portland.
From the beginning, the project vision focused on creating a holistic urban living environment that seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces while encouraging resident engagement with the broader community. Shared amenities support wellness and education through spaces dedicated to healthy food preparation, communal dining, cooking workshops, and fitness classes.
At the heart of the project is a strong connection to food access and urban agriculture. The building features Maine’s first and only rooftop garden and greenhouse designed specifically for resident use, providing opportunities for low-income residents to grow and harvest fresh food in one of Portland’s most urban neighborhoods.
The contemporary architectural and interior design approach carries a cohesive palette and material language from exterior to interior, creating an energetic and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the vitality of the community it serves. CWS provided complete building, interior, and furnishings design throughout the project, including the Community Living Room, Demonstration and Teaching Kitchen, Learning Classroom, and outdoor gathering spaces.
Together, these elements create a vibrant residential environment that promotes wellness, sustainability, and community inclusion in the heart of downtown Portland.