PROJECT The Bonifant
LOCATION Silver Spring, Maryland, US
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 6/15/2016
ARCHITECT Stantec Architecture
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT
OWNER/CLIENT Montgomery Housing Partnership
CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Donohoe Construction
PHOTOGRAPHER Max Kun Zhang, IRIS22 Productions LLC
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Christopher Pilla, Richard Brown, Sean MacManus
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
A shortage of economically priced land in Montgomery County has severely limited the number of new affordable housing properties being built in Montgomery County, let alone in transit-oriented, downtown locations. Between 2000 and 2030, the County’s senior population (age 65+) is projected to double (from 92,000 to 190,000). Spurred by these numbers, a public-private partnership between Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) and the Donohoe Companies, working with the County, offered an innovative solution that provides much-needed affordable housing for seniors in a prime location in a county strapped for available land. The Bonifant at Silver Spring is a new high rise development with 149 units of mixed-income housing for adults ages 62+; 139 of the building’s units are affordable.
The Bonifant is the first residential property built alongside a public-use facility in Montgomery County and is part of growing efforts to use county-owned land to increase the supply of housing affordable to lower-income residents. This land use approach is a new model for affordable housing and is serving as a model for other mixed-income and mixed-use developments locally and around the nation.
Its co-location on a County site with the new Silver Spring library allowed designers to create two buildings that complement each other physically and programmatically. The 145,000 SF, 11-story apartment complex was designed to enliven the community’s streetscape and is a class “A” brick building with a nod to the city’s art deco history. The building is located in the heart of seniors’ existing support networks, and is within walking distance of a rich array of amenities and transit options. By architecturally blending the complex with the town of Silver Spring, the building creates an environment that promotes a smooth transition into independent living.
On the interior, the design evokes a sense of oasis, a place of relaxation, and vitality. The public spaces are an extension of the tenants’ living room and provide a comfortable gathering place that enhances the sense of community. Amenity spaces include a large community room, cyber café with computers, fitness center, and an outdoor terrace and green space -- all designed to address the needs of seniors. Units feature ample windows and emphasize natural light by maximizing open spaces. Throughout the common areas, light and color are used as programmatic signifiers and visual clues that orient tenants within the building. Green building design elements were incorporated into the design and earned the project Enterprise Green Communities Certification (equivalent to LEED Silver). The Bonifant’s adherence to Enterprise Green Communities standards helps ensure energy efficiencies, which in turns protects the environment, reduces occupancy cost, and increases the affordability of these homes for its residents.
The result proves that affordable housing can be functional, appealing, and engaging, while contributing to the surrounding urban fabric.
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1 The Bonifant_high res ext.jpg, The Bonifant, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 2 The Bonifant_high res int.jpg, The Bonifant - Lobby, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 3 The Bonifant 1.jpg, The Bonifant, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 4 The Bonifant 2.jpg, The Bonifant - Living Room, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 5 The Bonifant 3.jpg, The Bonifant - Roof Terrace, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 6 The Bonifant 4.jpg, The Bonifant - Typical Elevator Lobby, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 7 The Bonifant 5.jpg, The Bonifant - Family Room, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
IMAGE 8 The Bonifant 6.jpg, The Bonifant - Fitness Center, © 2017 IRIS22 Productions
The Bonifant
Category
Local > AIA Potomac Valley > Multi-Family Architecture (AIA Potomac Valley)
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