Alley Redux
Alley dwellings in Washington, DC grew out of the massive migrations of people following the Civil War as well as subsequent population growth, and became practically the only opportunity for housing available to poor or working class citizens.   The site for this project was occupied by Temperance Court, an alley dwelling of notorious unsanitary, overpoplulated, crime-ridden and unsafe conditions.  Razed in 1953, the site is currently vacant and owned by the Public Welfare Foundation (PWF).

In 2000 a community survey conducted by the PWF revealed that the top priority of the developing U-Street community was affordable housing for long-time neighborhood residents.   In response, PWF sought to develop affordable housing in a manner which would complement the culture, form, and character of the neighborhood.

Therefore aiming to return the site to its historical purpose, the new “Temperance Row” was conceived to include ten affordable rowhouse dwellings  The goal was to create a balance of density and openness which reflected, without replicating, the historic fabric of the neighborhood, which would extend the public life of the street into this small community.

This dense urban block offers typical urban conundrums to address, including limited site area for open space, landscaping and stormwater management.   The site strategy was to extend the landscape of the street into the block, creating both shared and private open spaces which optimize opportunities for planting, using walls and roofs to maximum benefit.   The broader measures of sustainability are addressed with orientation, materials and building envelope decisions, and include compliance with Green Communities Criteria.