Page 205 - Bernardon Dwell Statement of Qualifications

12C — September 30 - October 13, 2016 — Fall Preview — Mid AtlAntic Real Estate Journal www.marejournal.com

Architecture/MultifAMily

By Michael S. McCloskey, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Bernardon
Village dwelling: A new innovation
for tackling small-scale urban infill

T he demand for multi- of new residents each year have a distinct historical and Village Dwelling Concept. and small front yards. The
family housing grows with their attractive urban architectural character which
Although many urban infill unique aspect of Bernardon’s
every day. Bernardon amenities, historic characters, they desire to maintain, and innovations have come about concept is that the building is
alone cur- in the last few decades, few really a mix of one-story and
rently has “To develop an efficient, palatable solution to the design firms have considered two-story units, which share
over 6,400 increased demand for housing in these hot spots, combining varied multi-story access to storage and parking
mu ltifam - Bernardon has developed a new design innovation, types of housing within the but are otherwise completely
ily units in now known as the Village Dwelling Concept.” same building. When Bernar- independent. The one-story
d esign or don was challenged to create a “flats” are located on the third
construction livable, attractive multifamily and fourth floors of the build-
in the Phila- and more reasonable costs of are hesitant to allow large- concept on an existing lot be- ing, accessed by interior verti-
delphia re- living. scale multifamily products to hind a shopping center in the cal circulation.
gion, many Michael S. As these smaller cities and infiltrate their iconic central center of Paoli, Pennsylvania, The Village Dwelling Con-
of which are McCloskey towns continue to grow, so cores. To develop an efficient, we explored this concept. cept creates high-density resi-
in rapidly growing urban cores too does the demand for in- palatable solution to the in- The apartments at Paoli, at dential opportunities in the
such as West Chester and Me- novative and cost-effective creased demand for housing street level, give the impres- smallest possible footprint. By
dia, Pennsylvania. These once uses of existing land. This in these hot spots, Bernardon sion of classic townhomes. prioritizing efficiency, develop-
largely suburban areas are can be a touchy subject with has developed a new design Each home opens up onto the ment becomes more palatable
now attracting huge influxes smaller municipalities. Many innovation, now known as the street, complete with porches to small communities. The
concept also allows for flexibil-
ity in demographic appeal. The
two-story units appeal to older
millennials, perhaps those
DREAM. with burgeoning families,
and “empty-nester” couples
or single adults. The one-story
DESIGN. “flats,” by contrast, will be
ideal for younger millennials,
including those who have re-
SUCCEED. cently entered the workforce.
Bernardon has presented
the Village Dwelling Concept
to more than a half dozen
prospects in the Philadelphia
metro area. In each location,
the concept has been received
favorably by developers and
municipalities alike. Most mu-
nicipal officials appreciate the
small-town “village” aesthetic
that is reinforced by the design
and the highly efficient yield
offered by the unique arrange-
ment of the units. The concept
is specifically designed for
small infill lots, which is why
it works best in small urban
cores such as West Chester,
Media, and Paoli. Similar cit-
ies also exist in other states up
and down the east coast.
Throughout the region, Ber-
nardon’s Village Dwelling
Concept has been success-
ful in delivering a creative
solution to small-scale infill
development in our growing
small towns and cities. While
responding to the valid desires
of municipalities to preserve
their unique sense of place and
scale, Bernardon is providing
yet another option for satisfy-
ing our region’s burgeoning de-
mand for multifamily housing.
Michael S. McCloskey,
AIA, LEED AP BD+C is
an associate principal at
Kennett Square, PA Bernardon, an architec-
Philadelphia, PA ture, interior design, and
landscape architecture
Wilmington, DE firm with offices in Kennett
www.bernardon.com Square and Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania and Wilm-
ington, Delaware. n