Homeless shelters and service providers are struggling to keep up during the COVID-19 crisis. For Transition Projects, the pandemic has resulted in restrictions to their usual community meal supply program that invites community members into the shelter to cook in their facility. CHA interior designer Kim Stanley stepped up by cooking and delivering dinner for 45 men at the Clark Center. And all from an apartment kitchen!
Collaboration is a fundamental factor in the practice of architecture. The design process is predicated on a creative exchange, a dialogue of ideas, and constant communication within project teams. So, how does design move forward in the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic? Well, the answer is simply this: creative minds find a way. As designers and problem solvers, our technology has evolved and our team has adapted to the influx of change we’ve experienced. Design Staff Jessie Vargo describes the approach to the transition much like that of any other design challenge, “At first it was ‘Ok, how are we going to do this?’ We dug into our toolset to maximize communication but also understood that flexibility and humility needed to be part of that toolset too. I think that we are inspired to be creative when we support one another and have a collective mission.”
For Carleton Hart, that collective mission is bringing new affordable housing projects on-line in the local Portland community and throughout the Northwest. That commitment to developing healthy, safe, and affordable homes is our lodestar, but keeping teams connected virtually was the initial challenge when we all started working from home. We found that frequent and regular project team meetings are critical, as well as impromptu check-ins, to help the team feel connected and prioritize quality. Visual components like screen share, chat, and video conferencing are invaluable. Another perhaps counterintuitive, but key ingredient to maintaining momentum is actually taking time to pause. “It’s been inspiring to use this time to self-reflect on my personal values and goals” Jessie explains, “It might sound generic but I challenge everyone to write down their guiding principles for goal setting and decision making. Instead of staring into the void – I am trying to fill it with what I want to improve on.”
A huge concern during this time is the isolation or burnout that staff could experience during this time. Some staff live alone, while others are juggling work, family, and homeschooling kids. It’s important to recognize that all these experiences are equally challenging. “Everyone’s struggle is valid and we’re trying to keep everyone connected and focus on the wellbeing of our staff” Brian Carleton shared. One technique that’s become standard in many meetings is to start conference calls off with a general check-in to ask how people are coping. Interior Designer Kim Stanley suggests “sharing with each other, both highlights and challenges that we experience through this period of isolation from each other. Acknowledging this difficult time and sympathizing with each other is important. Equally as important is celebrating successes and achievements.” She explains that this style of communication unites us on common ground during this turbulent time. Marketing Director Robin Moodie echoes this, “It’s transforming when we share experiences and allow ourselves to be vulnerable with one another. It helps us to build trust in our project teams. If we feel more comfortable confiding in each other, people are going to feel more free to share their ideas and that’s when great design happens.”
As we look back on 25 years in business, we want to express our gratitude for the support from clients and partners. We are able to live our mission because of you. Thank you! Wishing you all the best the holiday season has to offer and Happy New Year!
Someone once said that the closer you get to a problem, the opaquer it becomes. So, when we see dozens of vacant buildings around the City that look like they could provide shelter to the thousands of people experiencing homelessness, it’s easy to think the solution is a quick one. But as Project Architect Andrea Matthews has learned over the course of several shelter projects, the closer you get to the issues, the more daunting the inherent complexities seem.
Andrea was interested in exploring the conversion of motels into homeless shelters. Driven by her desire to offer clients a tool that might add efficiency when vetting these types of sites for their viability as shelters, Andrea applied for and received a grant through Carleton Hart’s Innovation Lab. The Innovation Lab is CHA’s in-house initiative that encourages employees to pursue independent research by providing support (in the form of allotted research time and a modest stipend to cover travel, printing, and book/media expenses.)
It is challenging to find appropriate buildings that can be re-purposed for shelter uses at a low cost. Leasing an existing motel is appealing because it offers a win/win for the agency and owner – the owner gets a predictable income based on full occupancy, and the agency can provide shelter to people in need that offers a furnished space with the privacy of a bathroom.
There are many parties involved in the process of developing a homeless shelter. Public agencies draw on their wide networks of property owners and real estate partners to help in the search for possible sites. An agency partners with experienced non-profits who will ultimately manage the shelter. Agencies and non-profits work together to identify the programming, deciding what is needed for the populations the shelter will serve (e.g., families, women, men, disabled, people with mental health disabilities, etc.). Project teams include architects and engineers who evaluate the structure and systems of a potential building
Andrea developed a checklist that identifies planning, zoning, building code and functional features that must be considered when determining whether a site is a viable option for a shelter She also collected precedents as case studies of motels that have been converted to shelters. Andrea presented the results of her research to CHA staff and unveiled the Shelter Tool Kit , which can be used by clients and project teams looking to streamline the complex process of identifying viable shelters. This will serve the office as a valuable resource for helping our affordable housing clients.
Andrea describes a recent experience at the Civic Boot Camp she attended in Seattle, which inspired her during her research. The day-long program instructed participants on ways they can address homelessness in their communities. This can include simply acknowledging a person on the sidewalk, introducing yourself, asking their name, or shaking their hand. “It’s about opening yourself up,” she said. “Every time you don’t turn away, you expand the capacity of your heart.” She hopes that the Shelter Tool Kit will offer a way to help fast track the due diligence phase of vetting shelter sites to help hosing agencies, non-profit partners, and project teams in expanding the capacity of shelters so needed in our community.
Woody Guthrie Place is celebrating its opening at the end of this week, and new residents will start moving in early July. A Rose Community Development project, Woody Guthrie Place is a milestone project for CHA. The project stands out in terms of design, urban renewal, and community building. But, one piece of its story of which we are particularly proud is the sustainability measures that were achieved.
Woody Guthrie Place is pursuing US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Homes Mid-rise certification program, targeting the Gold level standard. The building is built with an energy efficient envelope design, heat recovery ventilation system, and includes the following LEED strategies:
Moderately walkable community with amenities located a short walk from public transportation.
Bike routes, and other community resources.
Enhanced insulation installation practices.
Double-pane, high efficiency, insulated vinyl windows.
On-site infiltrated stormwater treatment, avoiding impact to the local municipal storm water system.
Highly-efficient heat recovery ventilation mechanical system and lighting systems to reduce consumption and increase energy efficiency of the building.
Photovoltaic solar panels to offset house electrical loads.
Tight building envelope construction (i.e., special attention was taken to seal air leaks).
Third-party performance testing of building systems to improve energy performance, reduce draftiness and ensure enhanced indoor air-quality.
The project received a PGE Renewable Grant Solar Award, which covered the costs to install PV panels over 70% of the roof. Woody Guthrie has a 402-solar panel system which will produce 149,300 kWh annually, providing a 42.5% in energy cost savings in additional to the other energy savings measures (via Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives). We estimate that the energy generated will offset all house electrical loads and still have excess energy to net meter back to the utility.
Carleton Hart has promoted Michelle Black to Principal. An integral part of Carleton Hart since 2016, Michelle’s 18 years of experience includes historic restoration, rehabilitation, and new construction, ranging from affordable housing to public facilities. Michelle has distinguished herself as a leader in affordable housing and community-based design work; work that is deeply influenced by her life-long commitment to social activism. This promotion honors not only her architectural accomplishments and excellence in client services, but also her dedication to mentoring staff and promoting equity both in the firm and in the wider profession. As the CHA Innovation Lab Director, Michelle researches a wide variety of topics looking to make links between often seemingly disparate items and find new ways to solve old problems. Michelle is a graduate of University of Kansas. In addition to being a member of the AIA, Michelle is a member of the Social Economic Environmental Design Network (SEED) and is a Certified Passive House Designer. Congratulations Michelle! Cheers!
