Carpenter’s Shelter, located in the Old Town West neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, is a facility that houses approximately 270 children, women and men experiencing homelessness. This project renovated the shelter to include 60 beds, a commercial kitchen, cafeteria, library, clinic, computer room, ministry office, locker room and case management office space. The project also expanded the space to include The Bloom at Braddock, an affordable housing facility.

The Bloom at Braddock includes 97 low-income tax credit housing units, a community room with lounge seating, three outdoor terraces and a 1,600 SF food-producing garden. Floor plans contain spacious bedroom and living rooms, modern kitchens with Energy Star appliances, large windows for natural light and balcony space.

Both facilities share an underground parking garage, 10 permanent supportive-housing units and a playground. Developed in partnership with Housing Alexandria and Carpenter’s Shelter, the project was partially funded by Virginia Housing with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

This project achieved EarthCraft Gold certification and the 2021 AIA Northern Virginia Design Juror’s Citation in Commercial Architecture award.