For more than a decade, the San Francisco city government has undertaken a $1.5 billion plan to end chronic homelessness by more effectively connecting chronically-homeless people to permanent, supportive housing. Between 2004 and 2015 the city built nearly 2,700 units of long-term supportive housing and permanently housed 11,362 formerly-homeless people, making it a leader in its response to homelessness.

Photo: Richardson Apartments, view from Fulton Street / DBArchitects

Photo 2 of 12

On a half-acre lot in Mid-market San Francisco, Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments is a new home for chronically homeless adults. The 120-unit, GreenPoint-rated building, which is run by the Community Housing Partnership and financed by multiple public agencies, offers services such as a counseling center, medical center, job training program, and employment through the building’s bakery and cafés.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 3 of 12

The five-story building complex is found on a former parking lot near bus and subway lines. There are also many services within walking distance. Access to transportation is extremely important to its low-income residents who are without cars.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 4 of 12

A system was developed by Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture to maximize the infiltration of stormwater in the apartment complex. This was critical for San Francisco’s combined sewer and stormwater system, which has a tendency to overflow. An innovative streetscape includes permeable pavers and rain gardens, which make the public space more attractive while reducing stormwater runoff on the site.

Photo: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture

Photo 5 of 12

A shady central courtyard created in the core of the building accommodates multiple uses within a single space. A large patio with custom tables, benches, and a barbeque is used for communal gatherings, while private areas provide seating for individuals or smaller groups.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 6 of 12

Giant chain ferns, Japanese painted ferns, western sword fern, and wood sorrel were used throughout the interior landscape to create the feeling of a peaceful grove. These plants are durable, low-maintenance, and adaptable to the extreme light conditions of full sun or deep shade.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 7 of 12

Within the courtyard, permeable spacers were installed between unit pavers to allow stormwater to infiltrate into a gravel retention basin constructed below. Other paving areas slope into rain gardens, which are planted with palm trees and ferns.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 8 of 12

A roof-top deck offers another healing space for residents, with seating areas, succulent gardens, raised beds for vegetable gardening, surrounded by sedum-filled green roof. Planters, both ornamental and edible, capture water that would otherwise enter the city’s storm system.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 9 of 12

About one-third of the building's residents are in wheelchairs, so incorporating full accessibility into the design was important. The courtyard is completely accessible, with cantilevered tables and spaces for wheelchairs adjacent to and across from benches.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 10 of 12

Monterey cypress logs used to construct the benches and block seats were reclaimed from urban forests throughout San Francisco. Locally-sourced black basalt gravel was used in drainage areas located under benches in the courtyard, at the perimeter of the building, and between the joints of the courtyard pavers. The unit pavers were also created in California.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 11 of 12

Despite the project’s limited budget, the design team remained committed to high-quality details and quality craftsmanship throughout the complex. Beautiful yet low-cost details help new residents feel at home.

Photo: ASLA 2012 Professional Residential Design Award of Excellence. Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson Apartments / Bruce Damonte

Photo 12 of 12