
Uphill Housing
_The first straw-insulated multifamily housing project in Maine
This project—30 units of affordable housing in Portland, Maine—is an exercise in navigating constraints. While all projects are beholden to code, zoning, and their context, this project is also subject to Historic Review and stringent dimensional standards related to affordable subsidies.
Within that context, we’re also asking bigger questions like:
* While working on this project, we learned about Renting Partnerships. They’re an organization in Cincinnati, Ohio, that’s developed a model in which long-term renters build wealth by participating in the upkeep of their community.
Within that context, we’re also asking bigger questions like:
- Which design decisions increase cost-savings and livability?
- Can an affordable building sequester more CO2 than it emits?
- Can renters build equity?*
* While working on this project, we learned about Renting Partnerships. They’re an organization in Cincinnati, Ohio, that’s developed a model in which long-term renters build wealth by participating in the upkeep of their community.

Ground Floor Plan: The ground floor has 2 studios, 2 two-beds, 2 three-beds, and a bike storage room

Typical Upper Floor Plan: Floors 2 through 4 each have 4 studios, 2 two-beds, and 2 three-beds


Alternating bands of pine clapboard break down the building’s scale. The lighter tone at the corners helps dematerialize the volume
The windows stack vertically, and the majority are rectangular, in reference to the neighboring buildings ︎︎︎




Client
LB Atlantic, LLCLocation
Portland, MaineTimeline
2024-Status
- Granted a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Board
-
Granted Planning Board Approval
Services
- Architectural Design
- Interior Design
- Feasibility Study
Stats
- 4-stories with a basement
-
30 units:
14 studios
8 two-beds
8 three-beds - Lot Size: 10,073 sf (0.231 acres)
- Amenities: Community Room, Laundry Room, Bike Storage Room, Bike Repair Room, Resident Storage
Credits
- Acorn Engineering, Inc
Civil Engineering -
Base Design Group, Inc
Structural Engineering -
BLW Engineers, Inc
MEP-FP Engineering -
Croft,
Collaborator & Straw Panel Provider -
Pieszak Lighting Design,
Lighting Design