Edwin M. Lee Apartments
A model for healthy living and resilience, the Edwin M. Lee Apartments is the first building in San Francisco to combine supportive housing for both unhoused veterans and low-income families. This collaboration among LMSA, Saida + Sullivan Design Partners, Swords to Plowshares, and Chinatown Community Development Center supports an integrated, equitable, and sustainable community in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.
Owner
Chinatown Community Development Center and Swords to Plowshares
Associated Architect
Saida + Sullivan Design Partners
Location
San Francisco, CA
Size
123,701 sq. ft.
Stats
GreenPoint Rated Platinum; Solar PV panels estimated to produce 91% of the building’s common area electrical energy; Solar thermal panels estimated to produce 60% of the building’s hot water heating energy
Image Credit
Bruce Damonte
This affordable housing development provides 62 apartments for formerly homeless veterans and 57 apartments for low-income families with ground-floor services for families, veterans, neighbors, and the greater community. Balancing a civic scale with a feeling of home, the building enables sustainable lifestyles for its residents, prioritizing access to views and daylight, along with showcasing alternative energy generation and connections to nearby public transportation. The project frames a generous internal garden courtyard that balances a range of areas for retrospection, interaction and play.
With a GreenPoints Rated Platinum certification, the project includes abundant photovoltaic and solar hot water panels to reduce operating costs and provide sustainable energy. The photovoltaic renewable energy system is proudly on display to the public and an integral feature in the overall building’s civic design. The design’s material and assembly selections incorporate biophilic design principles; durable material selections and well-considered detailing are intended to reduce long-term operating and maintenance costs.
Dedicated to late mayor of San Francisco, the Edwin M. Lee Apartments are an enduring tribute to his goal to end homelessness for veterans.
"Your architectural framework and vision for a healthy and equitable future was truly brought to life in the Edwin M. Lee Apartments, and your design was a beautiful tribute to the late Mayor Lee's legacy and memory. The Bay Area is fortunate to have your firm's incredible dedication to creating climate-friendly spaces that bring families to places they can truly call home."
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
