Architecture & Design

The $85 million conversion of a former factory at 321 Ellis St. in New Britain, Conn., created 154 units within a property developed between 1910 and 1930. JCJ Architecture designed the project. WinnCompanies was the developer.

Turning Historic Buildings into Vibrant Housing: Lessons From the Northeast

by Lynn Peisner January 20, 2026

By Christine Faverio When it comes to adaptive reuse, the opportunities to preserve cultural heritage, promote sustainability and provide affordable housing are undeniable. But while these projects are immensely rewarding, they also come with complex regulatory, financial and design challenges. In the Northeast, projects such as the Ellis Block Apartments in New Britain, Connecticut, designed by JCJ Architecture, reveal several key strategies that can help developers and design teams successfully navigate adaptive reuse. Recognize Buildings with Adaptive Reuse Potential Identifying the right candidate building is the first step. Recognizing the …

January 20, 2026

Architecture & Design Industry Voices Sustainable/LEED

Designing for Low-Carbon, High-Density Living — Lessons for Sustainable Multifamily Development

by Lynn Peisner January 12, 2026

Developers today are under mounting pressure to meet energy codes, achieve carbon reduction goals and deliver housing that is healthy, comfortable and affordable. Whether market-rate or affordable housing, the reality is that people want homes that are not only well-designed but also economical to operate. That’s why attention to energy efficiency and utility costs has become such a critical factor in leasing and retention. In some cases, this pressure has even pushed developers toward more ambitious approaches such as Passive House strategies or other high-performance design measures. At the same …

January 12, 2026

Architecture & Design Development Industry Voices

Rethinking Design in an Age of Smaller Households and Shifting Generational Financial Priorities

by Lynn Peisner January 6, 2026

The conversation around housing affordability has never been more urgent or nuanced. The dominant development narrative often centers on rising costs and supply constraints. But zoom out, and the story becomes one of shifting household demographics, evolving expectations around wellness and a changing definition of what “home” really means. For multifamily developers, investors and architects, these trends demand fresh thinking and bold solutions that can answer the definition of home beyond the traditional meaning. The fourth and latest wave of the America at Home Study, conducted in spring 2025, is …

January 6, 2026

Architecture & Design California Development News Western

KTGY, Hanover Co. Break Ground on Market-Rate Community in Bay Area Mixed-Use Project

by Lynn Peisner October 28, 2025

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Developer Hanover Co. and architect KTGY have begun construction of Hanover Parkside, the first residential building located within Coyote Creek Village, a 22-acre mixed-use development in North San Jose. KTGY designed the three market-rate buildings, comprising 1,140 units, within 9.3 acres of the project. The master plan also includes 154 for-sale townhomes developed by SummerHill Homes and 136 affordable rental apartments that The Pacific Cos. will deliver in future phases. The first building, Hanover Parkside, is slated for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027. The …

October 28, 2025

Affordable Housing Architecture & Design Features

D.C. Adaptive Reuse: Five Smart Strategies for Cost-Effective, Affordable Housing

by Lynn Peisner October 15, 2025

In Washington, D.C., access to affordable housing remains a critical challenge. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, as of 2023, more than 54,700 extremely low-income renter households lived in the city, yet only 17,300 affordable and available rental homes were on the market at that income level. D.C. is far from alone. Nationwide, there are only 35 affordable homes for every 100 extremely low-income renters, leaving millions without access to stable, secure housing. Renovating affordable housing, whether for refinancing, RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) conversion or preservation, is …

October 15, 2025

Affordable Housing Architecture & Design California Development Industry Voices

ADUs in Multifamily Development Are an Old Idea with New Potential

by Lynn Peisner July 23, 2025

By Brandi Campbell Wood Forward-thinking multifamily developers are rediscovering a housing type that predates modern zoning: accessory dwelling units (ADUs). An ADU is defined as a smaller, independent residential unit located on the same lot as a detached single-family home, according to the American Planning Association, a nonprofit organization that supports the field of urban and regional planning. What was once commonplace in early 20th-century developments — garden cottages, cluster housing and secondary units within larger properties — is experiencing a renaissance driven by new policy opportunities and compelling financial …

July 23, 2025

InterFace-Affordable-Housing-Southeast-Design-panel

Affordable Housing Architecture & Design Conference Coverage Features News Southeast

InterFace Conference Coverage: Affordable Housing Architects Push the Limits of Design Amid Rising Costs

by Lynn Peisner June 2, 2025

ATLANTA — The United States is short 6.8 million affordable housing units, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Developers and owners are driven by a mission to meet this critical shortage. This national problem is fueling the work of architects and designers. Like developers, they, too, have picked up the baton — or the pencil, as the case may be — and applied practices that are custom-tuned to bring much-needed rental housing to market as quickly and efficiently as possible. Editor’s note: InterFace Conference Group, a division of …

June 2, 2025

Ancelmo Perez, Nadel Architecture + Planning

Affordable Housing Architecture & Design Development Industry Voices

ROI in Affordable Housing Starts with Design and Planning

by Lynn Peisner January 21, 2025

Increasing the supply of affordable housing is critical to addressing the severe housing crisis the United States faces. However, many investors think the returns on affordable housing are not sufficient to merit the time and expense of development. New multifamily residential projects of all types are more expensive than ever, thanks to recent inflation and high interest rates, and in the affordable segment, balancing cost with quality livable design has never been more complex. With rent and income restrictions, affordable projects require a mindset beyond counting pennies to make the …

January 21, 2025

Nathan Wilcox, Principal Architect, The Beck Group

Architecture & Design Development Industry Voices Midwest Northeast Operations Southeast Texas Western

Four Trends to Watch in Multifamily Design

by Channing Hamilton September 17, 2024

Four significant cultural shifts are driving the evolution of multifamily design. Today, developers and architects must create spaces that serve the remote work trend, meet the demand for wellness amenities, keep up with changing sustainability and technology standards and create communities that socially engage their residents. How Hybrid Work Schedules Have Changed Design The shift to remote and hybrid work has profoundly influenced design offerings and space planning at an unprecedented pace in multifamily developments. Before the shift to full-time or partial work from home, the average size of most …

September 17, 2024

Architecture & Design Development New York News Northeast

CetraRuddy Redevelops Historic Hospital in New York City into 204-Unit Community

by Channing Hamilton September 29, 2023

NEW YORK CITY — Locally-based architecture and interior design firm CentraRuddy is converting the historic St. Luke’s Hospital complex in New York City into a 204-unit community called 30 Morningside. The campus includes five buildings that were originally designed by Ernest Flagg and built between 1896 and 1928. According to CentraRuddy, the redevelopment project aims to restore the French Renaissance Revival-style buildings while taking advantage of Flagg’s original designs to maximize access to light and air. A development timeline for the project was not disclosed, but a tour of the …

September 29, 2023

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