Olympia Oaks

The Olympia Oaks Affordable Housing Development was a two-phase project. Kuhn Riddle was initially awarded a contract by the Amherst Housing Authority for a feasibility study, to develop an affordable housing site concept on a town owned parcel located adjacent to the UMass campus and on a public transportation route.

Way Finders, then HAPHousing, was awarded the development contract and KR continued services with HAP to design 11 buildings with 42 units of affordable rental housing in a mix of townhouses and triplexes.

The site had a steady slope to the east resulting in site accessibility becoming a primary driver of the design. The townhouses manage the slope by being centrally located and framing a level outdoor common area for a playground and pedestrian circulation. A community house stands at the top of the site, marking entry to the neighborhood and providing laundry, office, and multipurpose room amenities.