Vacant lot transformed into affordable and supportive riverfront housing.

Built on a former fabric factory site, this new community offers 80 units of affordable and stable housing for those in need. It symbolizes renewal for Oswego residents by revitalizing a long-vacant, contaminated property and contributing to downtown’s resurgence.

The community is designed to support a mix of income-constrained residents and individuals with physical disabilities, in mental health recovery, and struggling with homelessness. The on-site staff help this diverse population overcome their challenges. The program includes office space for building management and resident support staff, and ample meeting space where staff meet with residents individually or in groups to assist with their needs. The community room and scattered lounge spaces allow residents to gather in groups of various sizes while the generous elevated deck offers views of the river and downtown.

The shape of the narrow site atop a bluff overlooking the Oswego River and Lock Number 7 dictated the building form and arrangement. The existing high point is at the north end of the site, one full story above grade at the south end. This topography was utilized to create an at-grade lobby entrance at the north end of the building and an at-grade entrance at the south end to sheltered parking below the building. Remediation efforts required by the site's previous use aligned well with the minimal excavation required for the parking.

The linear building form is broken into three offsetting masses to modulate the building’s street presence and break up lines of site along interior circulation. First floor office, meeting, and gathering spaces are arranged at the north end where the street grade aligns with the interior, enhancing activity at the urban edge. Exterior material selection and composition creates a strong form when viewed from a distance and offers visual interest for passing motorists and pedestrians.