The Housing Resource Center (HRC) is intended to be the “central hub” for the properties and activities of Housing Nantucket. The project will be a model mixed-use site with housing and offices on two parcels which total approximately an acre. Furthermore, the project is intended to be a model project for environmentally friendly development and construction on the island. The entire facility and its environs must be a symbol, at a human scale, showing integration on every level – in the collaborative team effort, the building/site relationship, the materials of the building and the landscape, the connection between the present and the past, the use of the land with the needs of the land, and the connection between housing and the people of Nantucket.

     Housing Nantucket seeks to create a holistic design for the HRC, its attendant housing units and its site; and, therefore, the design must be connected at its core to the basic principles of the community's plans and goals. Ideally, the HRC project should be seen as a “whole” comprised of a complex set of interrelated parts. The HRC project should demonstrate state-of-the-art thinking in an ecologically sensitive design and be a signature building.

     Housing Nantucket is interested in a creative design solution that results in the “greenest” building while remaining true to the goals of affordable housing. Innovative energy solutions as geothermal, solar, or wind will be encouraged. The buildings must strive to meet the highest possible LEED standards as established by the USGBC and the Energy Star ratings; and Housing Nantucket will seek the use and documentation of materials via Life-Cycle Analysis.

Read entire RFQ issued in 2008.

Selected Design:

Ford 3 Architects
(Partnered with Thornewill Design)

The Board of Directors of Housing Nantucket chose Ford3 for a variety of reasons, but the primary reason was their interest in pushing the limits of Nantucket's green technologies - while still remaining true to the aesthetics of the community. Their suggestion for a green roof which would connect educational components with organizational spaces is a physical example of the way Housing Nantucket is trying to link education and housing with green technologies. The use of a compact design that respects the neighborhood, while providing community amenities - such as the bus stop and walking path - show a deep understanding of the goals of sustainable design. Another contributing factor was that Ford3 - a nationally known architecture firm - was partnering with local Thornewill Design to create a project that would have a national and local impact. Housing Nantucket takes seriously the goal of "Think Local" and as a result we sought out designers which were both local and had a national exposure. Finally, the experience of the Ford 3 team showed a breadth of knowledge - from sustainable design to education to historic preservation. These factors combined to create a winning combination. Housing Nantucket kicked off the schematic phase of design in January of 2009 and hopes to continue permitting work in early 2010.

SEE FULL DESIGN (PDF Format)

Participating Designers (With Review Comments):

• Arrowstreet - "Uncluttered design; simple." "Appreciate the historic building/farming aesthetic." "Appreciate use of wind power." DESIGN (PDF Format)
  
  
• BKA Architects - "Great positioning of primary buildings." "Appears to understand primary goals of building uses." "Design of walking path and duplexes capture goals of Nantucket planning." DESIGN (PDF Format)
  
  
• Baer Architecture Group - "Innovative design concepts." "Shows a willingness to think outside of Nantucket box." "Interesting concept regarding central court idea." DESIGN (PDF Format)
  
  
• Chip Webster & Associates - "One of only two Nantucket LEED APs." "Experience and knowledge proceed them." "Victorian aesthetic is an interesting design philosophy."
  
  
• Emeritus Development - "Appreciate interest in showing method for connecting remainder of parcel." "Accessible site is great feature." "Primary building location is important." DESIGN (PDF Format)
  
  
• Nantucket Architecture Group - "Really appreciate the agricultural feel of the 'grove.'" "Design of living units is in keeping with goals of organization." "Primary building demonstrates understanding of organizational goals." DESIGN (PDF Format)
  
  
• Workshop/APD - "Obviously the leader in understanding green goals." "Educational component an interesting element." "Appreciate the independent spaces for dwelling units." DESIGN (PDF Format) - 5.8 Mb