The Benefield Building: Material Health Goals for Affordable Housing with Citizen HKS

How can affordable housing prioritize a robust community engagement process and achieve a net-zero distinction? This is the goal for the Benefield Building, designed by Citizen HKS (A project of HKS Architects) in Richmond, Virginia.

It is programmed to be “a unique live/work model that incubates local businesses on the first floor and provides mixed-income/affordable housing above…The project’s intent is to create opportunity for the Highland Park community, providing local youth with access to strategic synergies and innovative resources. It’s a place to incubate dreams while reconnecting with the wisdom and support of older generations, becoming an example of social, economic, and environmental resilience in a caring, connected hub that is rooted in the strength of the community’s rich Black history,” -HKS

HML worked with the design team to create new palettes of materials for the project. The materials are healthier, more sustainable, and, by drawing from historic buildings and current community initiatives, representative of the local community.

We support the mission of Citizen HKS, who are “guided by the belief that all people deserve to live in socially, economically and environmentally healthy communities.”