Case Studies
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Thoughtfully designed processes, shaped by and for the communities we serve.
Engage / Before
The case studies below showcase a variety of community engagement processes, each thoughtfully tailored to the unique needs of its community and project goals. These processes captured local insights, values, and priorities, to help shape the design of buildings that reflect the people, cultures, character, and spirit of each place.
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Wolfe Road - Educator Workforce Housing
Robust Community Engagement Series engaging with West Valley Educators, project neighbors, and the Wider Cupertino, CA community.
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Mitchell Park Place - Affordable Housing for People of All Abilities
Engaging with the intellectual and developmental disabilities community, as well as project neighbors and the wider Palo Alto, CA community to design a building that reflects place and serves people of all abilities.
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East Santa Clara Street Focus Group
Focus Group to learn the unique needs of LGBTQ+ Seniors and hear their preferences for Affordable Housing in San Jose, CA.
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Buena Vista - Mobile Home Park Redevelopment
Workshop series to educate, reassure, and hear community voices during the redevelopment of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park in Palo Alto, CA.
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Laurel Drive - Affordable Agricultural Worker Housing
Series of engagement Events focusing on meeting the community where they gather, such as the Soccer Fields and Farmers Market, to design housing for agricultural workers in Salinas, CA.
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38th Avenue Apartments - Affordable Family Housing
Assisting our client with community engagement activities to design affordable family housing that reflects the character of Capitola, CA.
Engage // During
The case studies below represent how engagement can help build excitement for the completion of a project and answer any questions future residents and neighbors might have, helping build anticipation, demystify process, and build a sense of community before doors even open.
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Mitchell Park Place - Art Show
A community-building event to build excitement for the grand opening of Mitchell Park Place. We invited neighbors and members of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to help locate art from local I/DD artists throughout the building, by voting for which accent paint color the art would look best near.
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Solaire Resident Move-in Resources
To help residents understand their spaces before move-in, we provided a neighborhood map, building plans with amenities mapped, information for maintenance and emergencies, as well as apartment plans so residents could plan for furniture layouts.
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Plum Place Move-in Gifts
FORA and Housing Catalyst sent welcome trivets to residents when they moved back in after the property’s renovation. This served as a thank you for the residents’ participation in engagement, and doubled as additional protection for new countertops.
Engage /// After
The case studies below highlight post-occupancy evaluations, shared evaluation walks, and community events conducted after buildings became home to their occupants. These evaluations and events capture user experiences, including what’s working well and what can be improved, and help the wider public understand the value of affordable housing to the community as a whole.
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Leigh Avenue POE
/ Post-Occupancy Evaluation
/ Affordable Senior Housing in San Jose
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Iamesi Village POE
/ Post-Occupancy Evaluation
/ Community Building Event
/ Permanent Supportive Housing in San Jose
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Solaire - Shared Evaluation Walk
/ Shared Evaluation Walk with Client + Design Team
/ Permanent Supportive Housing in San Jose
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Solaire - Community Education Event
/ Community Event
/ Affordable Housing Education
/ Permanent Supportive Housing in San Jose
