This project is cooperative housing for Graduate Architecture and Planning Students from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning.
Two one-bedroom unit types are available for rent. Both units are loft style with dividing, nonstructural walls.
The design of the first floor space allow for a clear visual connection between the open studio and the community. Featuring large glass curtain walls and operable doors the open studio can be easily accessed for presentations and community events on-site. Exhibitions of student works, workshops, trainings, and summer workshops for students can take place on site, as well as at the common studio workshop located on the corner of E. Amherst Street and Suffolk Street. Those who live in the cooperative can work at the main workshop and community building to reduce the cost of their rent.

There are shared utilities for each site, such as electricity would be a shared cost built into the rent payment. The only thing residents pay for individually is excess supplies (beyond semester quota) and food for their own consumption. There would likely be shared meals when possible utilizing the common kitchen, and bulk food could be purchased if the residents wish. Some fees are opt-in based on the use each semester, so if students know they won’t utilize a specific feature of the cooperative they can opt-out of that feature and not pay that fee for the semester. If there will be minimal usage, students may pay a small one-time fee to use the feature occasionally and avoid a larger feature assessed before the semester begins

As a part of the Architecture + Planning Student Housing Cooperative Program, this house does not only have the ordinary student housing function. In the basement, it is a visualization lab. The Lab is quipped with advanced computer equipment and is opened to the public. All computers are installed with a series of drawing and 3D modeling software such as PS, Rhino, 3d max, In Design, etc. The purpose of this project is to provide a community building where students can do their drawings, renderings or any other media work. Computer and software courses are also available during weekends and holidays.

In 2017, it was found that 20% of those in the millennial age bracket identify as belonging to the LGBTQ community. Additionally, 38% of millennials claimed that religion was very important to them. If both populations are evenly disbursed, there would be about 7.9% of millennials that are both religious and exist and the LGBTQ spectrum. However, the populations rarely overlap in a visible way. 

Therefore, the objective of this project is to provide a home for UB students who identify as religious and on LGBTQ spectrum to gather, and increase awareness of this population. 

This coop house was designed with 3 groups of users in mind:

• Student + Parent
• Student + Marriage Partner
• Student + Brother/Sister/Cousin