Purpose + Approach

An affordable housing development in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood north of downtown Denver, Viña demonstrates how design can advance housing, sustainability and economic development while celebrating identity, history and culture. The first phase of development is focused on providing truly affordable housing, a local clinic and a grocery store for this underserved community. A central courtyard amenity was designed to accommodate both residents of Viña and the clinic next door. This colorful space features play elements, an open lawn, and a gathering space with outdoor grills, seating and a fire pit. The vibrant community features art in many forms, including a sculptural light feature at the entrance to the community courtyard, brightly colored site furnishings, lush plantings and custom murals. Future phases of development will focus on additional multifamily and senior housing, mixed-use, parking, office and retail.

Role

The Viña campus required a master developer agreement to ensure the redevelopment would provide quality affordable housing in a community experiencing severe displacement from the surplus of public and private investment projects in the area. Delivered through a public-private partnership, Viña’s development enabled a real community conversation on what the Elyria-Swansea community desired and needed for programming. This included prioritization of family needs and ensuring the campus would provide fresh food to this food desert, and low-cost medical services to the entire community. Retail considerations and how the architecture fit into the community were also detailed. The design team worked diligently with the development team to meet requirements for both Low-income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) to create a capital stack that enabled maximum affordability without compromising the quality of the community, design and materials. The landscape architect led the team during the community engagement and city submittal process. By compiling input from both the neighborhood and the development team, the landscape architect advocated for creating a place that everyone would be proud of and that would serve the whole community including traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations.

Context

Carefully integrated into the heart of the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, Viña was planned in proximity to public transportation, resources, recreation and the National Western Center development — a master plan and vision set to transform the surrounding area.

Situated on the far north side of Denver, the neighborhood is bordered by the Interstate and two major roadways (Vasquez and Brighton Boulevards). Access to public transportation was an essential consideration in the master plan for the campus. One bus stop down the street, a second a block away, and a light rail station within a half-mile connect the development to the rest of the city.

A local clinic and grocery store are part of the first phase of campus development. Viña residents have access to a range of neighborhood resources as the rest of the campus is built out. These include the Swansea Elementary School and Valdez Perry Library; Johnson Recreation Center, Elyria Park and Swansea Park; and two non-profits focused on family support and food education. The future National Western Center development will further revitalize this area — creating opportunity for more resources and connectivity for residents.

Special Factors

Community-centered development is at the heart of this project and was the centerpiece of all design aspects and implementation. Throughout the three neighborhood events conducted by the landscape architect, priorities of the community were conclusively focused on affordable healthcare, new jobs on-site, safety and security, mixed-income, transit-oriented development, cleaner environments, stability for families and access to fresh food. To address safety concerns, custom sculptural light poles were added at the entrance of the courtyard to illuminate secure access for residents during the late hours of the evening while maintaining the sense of vibrant design. Programming for regular farmers’ markets in front of the building regularly provides residents access to fresh food. Through a ‘good neighbor agreement’ program, priority is given to applicants who were previously displaced from the area. Local artist, ‘Jolt’ of Guerilla Garden was specifically chosen to develop the mural throughout the courtyard.

This space connects the ideas collected from the community and demonstrates the vibrance of their history, culture and identity through art.

Environmental Sensitivity + Sustainability

A primary design goal for the housing development focuses on environmental sensitivity and sustainability. The on-site detention feature in the courtyard sequesters rainwater runoff from the roof that drains into the design swale. Lush, xeric plant palettes were intentionally chosen to reduce water usage and long-term maintenance of the plant life in the courtyard while maintaining a distinct and lively visual aesthetic. In addition to these water conservation features, the plant palette features pollinator-friendly habitats, encouraging biodiversity within the landscape.

Significance

As a region, growth and change are challenging sustainability in the West — from increased housing demand, water challenges, and the skyrocketing cost of construction, it seems everything is acutely impacting housing affordability and the environment. Vibrant, beautiful and truly affordable, Viña creates a community that is well-connected and close to resources in the heart of the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood while prioritizing celebratory design, sustainability and community impact. Investment in public-private partnerships like Viña is necessary to ensure access to resources and equity are prioritized in neighborhoods threatened by displacement. Viña was one of 12 projects that received a 2022 Denver Mayor’s Design Award, which recognizes projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, exterior design and placemaking.