Affordable Apartments for Those Recovering From Addiction

The project I have created is an apartment building with the goal of safely housing individuals who are struggling or recovering from addiction.

The physical portion of the model was made using cardboard and hot glue.

The site I chose is 625 Albany St, a small plot within walking distance of multiple addiction centers, including drug rehab and alcoholism treatment.

Due to the urban nature of the location, one of the first things that I decided would be vital to incorporate would be solar panels. This is due to the fact that potentially having multiple floors would make solar panels much more efficient and allow for lower power costs, thus helping contribute to lowering the cost of the units. For the structure, I chose to use concrete blocks, as its durability, resistance to the elements as well as contributing to isolation would allow the structure and foundation of the building to last longer and be much more durable, reducing time and money needed for maintenance. For walls, the interior would be made out of drywall, as it is extremely budget friendly when accounting for the large amount of square footage of the building, including the multiple floors. The exterior walls would use vinyl siding, as it is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. Finally, for insulation, I would use fiberglass batts, as they are easy to install and have a good R value for the cost, compared to other options.

For the apartment itself, for the lobby I chose to incorporate 2 specific rooms that I believed would be most helpful for the people that the building would be targeted towards. As the plot is within walking distance to the previously mentioned recovery centers, I wouldn't expect a majority of clients to have access to personal transportation, which is why I incorporated a laundry room on the bottom floor. I also chose to incorporate a small gym, as exercise is one of the most known and effective ways to help people cope with addiction. The floor also has 2 rooms primarily for maintenance, having easy access to HVAC components for example, would mitigate time, effort, money and disruption that would occur if a majority were placed between floors or within the walls. The lobby also has a reception area, waiting room, and storage room with lockers for residents who have excess items to store.

The apartment units are 1 bedroom, with a 3/4 bathroom as well as a kitchenette and a living area.