Roots

The work was developed for the Washington Ave Supportive Housing project designed by Haven Design|Build. It is a 16-unit housing development that will provide critical affordable housing for veterans experiencing homelessness and women fleeing domestic violence in Sanford, NC. Nature became the foundation of the design concept - Roots. Nature has always been a source of restoration, peace, and hope - something that is accessible to all of us. In their future homes, we wanted the residents to feel grounded and at ease, to have a space where they can recharge, reconnect with themselves, and find the strength to start over again.

As an affordable housing project, maintaining budget efficiency was a key priority. We followed a simple design strategy: efficient space planning, understanding the architecture of the space, and using color thoughtfully as a design tool.

The material palette reflects the design concept through natural textures and tones. To add a touch of femininity within an overall calm and inclusive environment, I incorporated subtle burgundy accents as a quiet gesture of respect and support for the women the project also serves.

The Roots concept was developed for two standard unit types - 1B and 2B apartments, and implemented across both layouts with one consistent design language. Little modifications were made to accommodate each floor plan, while the materials, color palette, and overall concept remained the same.