Here’s the rewritten blog post, stripped down to the essentials:
## Fluted Terracotta Siding and Stepters: A Portland Senior Home
The exterior of a Portland building, once a haven for seniors, is now a testament to a group’s resilience and a testament to the enduring power of community. This project, spearheaded by Hacker Architects, aimed to create a home that not only served the needs of its senior residents but also fostered a sense of belonging and independence.
The Ellen Browning Building, designed for a group of long-time friends who banded together to create their own condo building, was more than just a building; it was a reflection of their shared goals and a symbol of their commitment to preserving their physical and social connections. The design, a carefully curated blend of rustic charm and modern functionality, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape, creating a space that felt both cozy and welcoming.
The building’s exterior was clad in a rich, creamy terracotta siding, a natural and durable material that offers a beautiful contrast to the grittier tones of the surrounding brickwork. The textured surface, with its vibrant hues of terracotta and ochre, added a touch of warmth and character to the building’s overall aesthetic.
The building’s design was a carefully considered blend of residential units and communal spaces. The ground-level gallery, with its carefully placed artwork, provided a vibrant backdrop for the building’s central two floors. The communal zone, featuring a variety of seating options, was designed to encourage interaction and social connection. The building’s high ceilings and vertical spaces allowed for a sense of openness and spaciousness, creating a space that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Beyond the ground-level gallery, the building also boasted a curated selection of artwork, including custom-made chandeliers, digital art displays, and a stunning outdoor sculpture. This addition added a touch of elegance and visual interest to the building’s facade, enhancing its overall appeal and creating a dynamic and engaging environment.
Overall, the project aims to ensure that this group of friends and their extended family and social network will continue to thrive in their new home. The building’s commitment to preserving social sustainability, coupled with its thoughtfully designed exterior, will contribute to a sense of well-being and connection that is invaluable in a world increasingly characterized by social isolation.
The project’s success was a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring strength of community. By creating a home that was both functional and meaningful, Hacker Architects transformed a neglected building into a vibrant and inspiring space for its senior residents.
Fluted terracotta siding and stepped terraces cover the exterior of a Portland building by Hacker Architects, which was designed for a group of seniors who banded together to create their own age-in-place housing.
Encompassing 34,000 square feet (3,159 square metres), the Ellen Browning Building was designed for a group of longtime friends who were in or approaching their senior years and wanted to remain close as they continued ageing.
The group came together to fund the design and construction of their own condo building, which would function as a type of co-housing, with local studio Hacker Architects overseeing the design.
“By developing their own residential building, the friends would be able to balance togetherness with the independence of urban living,” said the architectural studio.
For the location, they chose a vibrant commercial district in south east Portland, in a walkable area with amenities and healthcare services. Selecting this specific location was part of their overall strategy to age in place.
The building itself was designed to maximise “the urban experience for occupants and neighbours alike”.
Roughly rectangular in plan, the building has four above-grade levels, which are connected by stairs and elevators. There also is a small, underground parking garage.
The ground level is mixed-use, while the central two floors contain residential units.
The top floor holds the communal zone, including spaces for swimming, cooking, dining, reading, playing games, watching movies and other activities.
“Clustering all of the shared spaces on one level ensures there’s plenty of room to be by oneself or with others regardless of activity,” the team said.
There are a total of 10 residential units, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet (93 to 372 square metres). The residences are a mix of condos and rentals.
Three of the units are located on the ground floor and are set aside for renters, guests or future on-site caregivers.
The ground level also contains retail space and a public art gallery, which “adds dynamism to the cityscape, reflecting their collective interest in creating a building that contributes to the vitality of the neighbourhood”.
Facades were clad in fluted, cream-coloured terracotta panels that form an “urban canvas for daylight”.
“The textured exterior translates the ever-changing quality of light to visually animate the building and the neighbourhood through color and shadow,” the team said.
To break down the scale of the building, the studio used stepped massing, resulting in terraced patios.
Metal railings and trellises accommodate the growth of a flowering vine called star jasmine, which eventually will cover portions of the exterior.
“The terraces, which feature verdant, leafy privacy screens, Â function as vertical front yards where residents can engage with their friends and enjoy the outdoors and the urban setting,” the team said.
The building has a post-tensioned concrete frame, and its top floor was built using cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking and glue-laminated beams.
Prefabrication of both the CLT elements and terracotta facade panels helped shorten the project’s construction time and reduce costs.
The interior features a simple palette of finishes, including gypsum board walls and white oak flooring and ceilings. Each resident chose their kitchen and casework materials from a set of standardised offerings.
Beyond the ground-level gallery, artwork was sprinkled throughout the building.
“Art is integrated throughout common areas, and includes a custom chandelier, a digital art display wall and outdoor sculpture, among other pieces,” the team said.
Overall, the project aims to help ensure the residents can live together and “preserve their relationships during their last years”.
“Developing their own building ensures that this group of friends and their tight-knit extended family and social network will continue,” said the studio.
“At a time when social connections are increasingly strained, this project helps to preserve social sustainability in a physical environment that is supportive and engaging for its occupants and those who experience it.”
Other housing for the elderly includes a London project by Witherford Watson Mann that aims to “set a new benchmark” for senior housing and a housing block in New York by Studio Libeskind that features an off-kilter facade and irregularly shaped windows.
The photography is by Jeremy Bittermann.
**Project credits:**
**Architect:** Hacker Architects\
**Hacker project team:** Corey Martin (design principal and principal-in-charge), Scott Mannhard (principal project manager), Matt Sugarbaker (principal technical), Vijayeta Davda (project architect), Emily Knudsen-Leland (interior designer), Emily Hays, Lewis Williams, Sam Yerke, Rashmi Vasavada, Whitney Dienes, Keri Hayenga, Keri Woltz, Joe Swank (design team)\
**Interior design:** Garrison Hullinger Interior Design\
**Landscape architecture:** Szabo\
**Owner’s rep:** UD+P (Urban Development Partners)\
**Contractor:** Truebeck Construction\
**Structural engineering:** DCI\
**Basis-of-design MEP and fire protection:** PAE\
**Lighting:** O-\
**Civil engineering:** Vega\
**Specifications:** Michael Thrailkill Associates\
**Design-build mechanical:** Hunter Davisson
Fluted terracotta siding and stepped terraces cover the exterior of a Portland building by Hacker Architects, which was designed for a group of seniors who banded together to create their own age-in-place housing.
Encompassing 34,000 square feet (3,159 square metres), the Ellen Browning Building was designed for a group of longtime friends who were in or approaching their senior years and wanted to remain close as they continued ageing.
The group came together to fund the design and construction of their own condo building, which would function as a type of co-housing, with local studio Hacker Architects overseeing the design.
“By developing their own residential building, the friends would be able to balance togetherness with the independence of urban living,” said the architectural studio.
For the location, they chose a vibrant commercial district in south east Portland, in a walkable area with amenities and healthcare services. Selecting this specific location was part of their overall strategy to age in place.
The building itself was designed to maximise “the urban experience for occupants and neighbours alike”.
Roughly rectangular in plan, the building has four above-grade levels, which are connected by stairs and elevators. There also is a small, underground parking garage.
The ground level is mixed-use, while the central two floors contain residential units.
The top floor holds the communal zone, including spaces for swimming, cooking, dining, reading, playing games, watching movies and other activities.
“Clustering all of the shared spaces on one level ensures there’s plenty of room to be by oneself or with others regardless of activity,” the team said.
There are a total of 10 residential units, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet (93 to 372 square metres). The residences are a mix of condos and rentals.
Three of the units are located on the ground floor and are set aside for renters, guests or future on-site caregivers.
The ground level also contains retail space and a public art gallery, which “adds dynamism to the cityscape, reflecting their collective interest in creating a building that contributes to the vitality of the neighbourhood”.
Facades were clad in fluted, cream-coloured terracotta panels that form an “urban canvas for daylight”.
“The textured exterior translates the ever-changing quality of light to visually animate the building and the neighbourhood through color and shadow,” the team said.
To break down the scale of the building, the studio used stepped massing, resulting in terraced patios.
Metal railings and trellises accommodate the growth of a flowering vine called star jasmine, which eventually will cover portions of the exterior.
“The terraces, which feature verdant, leafy privacy screens, function as vertical front yards where residents can engage with their friends and enjoy the outdoors and the urban setting,” the team said.
The building has a post-tensioned concrete frame, and its top floor was built using cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking and glue-laminated beams.
Prefabrication of both the CLT elements and terracotta facade panels helped shorten the project’s construction time and reduce costs.
The interior features a simple palette of finishes, including gypsum board walls and white oak flooring and ceilings. Each resident chose their kitchen and casework materials from a set of standardised offerings.
Beyond the ground-level gallery, artwork was sprinkled throughout the building.
“Art is integrated throughout common areas, and includes a custom chandelier, a digital art display wall and outdoor sculpture, among other pieces,” the team said.
Overall, the project aims to help ensure the residents can live together and “preserve their relationships during their last years”.
“Developing their own building ensures that this group of friends and their tight-knit extended family and social network will continue,” said the studio.
“At a time when social connections are increasingly strained, this project helps to preserve social sustainability in a physical environment that is supportive and engaging for its occupants and those who experience it.”
Other housing for the elderly includes a London project by Witherford Watson Mann that aims to “set a new benchmark” for senior housing and a housing block in New York by Studio Libeskind that features an off-kilter facade and irregularly shaped windows.
The photography is by Jeremy Bittermann.
Project credits:
Architect: Hacker Architects
Hacker project team: Corey Martin (design principal and principal-in-charge), Scott Mannhard (principal project manager), Matt Sugarbaker (principal technical), Vijayeta Davda (project architect), Emily Knudsen-Leland (interior designer), Emily Hays, Lewis Williams, Sam Yerke, Rashmi Vasavada, Whitney Dienes, Keri Hayenga, Keri Woltz, Joe Swank (design team)
Interior design: Garrison Hullinger Interior Design
Landscape architecture: Szabo
Owner’s rep: UD+P (Urban Development Partners)
Contractor: Truebeck Construction
Structural engineering: DCI
Basis-of-design MEP and fire protection: PAE
Lighting: O-
Civil engineering: Vega
Specifications: Michael Thrailkill Associates
Design-build mechanical: Hunter Davisson
