By Andrew Buchanan
Special to Inside
Advocates of affordable housing have long argued that housing for the poor need not be poor housing. That point was underscored last week when Lakefront Supportive Housing announced that internationally acclaimed Chicago architect Helmut Jahn will be the lead architect on a new 100 unit supportive housing development to be built at Clybourn and Division streets.
Jahn was asked to take on the challenge by Lakefront, the largest developer of single room occupancy (SRO) housing in the Midwest, in October. Within a week, Jahn not only agreed to the project, but had already developed preliminary designs.
"When we walked into his office and saw designs on the wall, we were overwhelmed," says Jean Butzen, president of Lakefront. "Mr. Jahn had not only created an extraordinary shell, but had thought through how to configure interior space to achieve both privacy and community."
"For me the project represents a wonderful challenge—how to ensure light and space for residents, how to create a durable building whose beauty will be there not only on the opening day, but decades after completion," said Jahn.
To address these issues, Jahn has created a building of steel, glass and concrete, materials that are both durable and require minimal maintenance. Windows for each room and glass walls on both ends of the structure provide maximum light, while the stainless steel roof and shell provide security and an attractive affordable material to clad the building.
To maximize space in the 240-260 square foot units, Jahn grouped kitchen and bathroom elements together. Concerned as much with social interaction as with privacy, Jahn has created lounges on each floor and common conference, entertainment and computer rooms on the ground floor.
To be built on land bordering the Cabrini Green Public Housing Development, Near North Apartments will be occupied in equal numbers by ex-residents and residents from the neighborhood who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness.
"This is a good example of how we intend to end the isolation of public housing residents," Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says. "They deserve the same services as everyone else, and the same opportunities to live meaningful, rewarding lives."
"This is a development that bridges many gaps," says Butzen. "It unites public housing residents with others from the neighborhood, while its architecture bridges the gap between Cabrini Green and the Gold Coast to the east. There is no question that this development will be an anchor in community building."
"We strive to make public housing available that provides comfortable living space and builds diverse and dynamic neighborhoods," says Terry Peterson, CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority. "Jahn's design and sense of community and Lakefront's understanding of affordable housing needs together have created world-class public housing Chicago is proud to have."
Building on its extensive experience, Lakefront Supportive Housing will act as the developer, on-site property manager and on-site provider of social services for tenants in the development, including counseling, employment, training and education.
Lakefront Supportive Housing has 17 years of experience in designing, developing and operating permanent supportive housing projects.
Jahn has recently received three major awards from the American Institute of Architects for his designs of the Illinois Institute of Technology's State Street Village residence hall, the Deutsche Post Tower in Bonn, Germany, and the Bayer corporate headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany. |
