The façade design responds and mimics the historic urban fabric of Astoria, drawing inspiration from the area’s rich architectural heritage of classically composed buildings. While the addition incorporates modern construction techniques, it remains rooted in the surrounding context. The blue color at the top of the building nods to Astoria’s nautical history. It will feature a brick masonry street-facing facade, with fiber cement panels cladding the upper stories, materials chosen for their durability and low maintenance requirements.

Inside, the design embraces a simple, timeless aesthetic, featuring white walls and stained wood trim. In the existing building, the design team preserved the original 100-year-old wood entry stair and corridor layout, honoring historic details.

The project team faced numerous complex challenges throughout the design process. A key priority was creating livable units despite tight constraints on light and air. Strategically placed light courts were used to balance privacy with daylight access, while light wells were introduced to bring natural light into basement-level units, expanding the overall housing capacity.

The team also contended with a highly constrained urban site, flood elevation requirements, poor geotechnical conditions, and significant deterioration in the existing building, including rot and structural failures. Additional layers of complexity came from navigating Landmarks Commission planning requirements, National Park Service design standards, and OHCS regulatory guidelines. These challenges were addressed through an iterative and deeply collaborative process. Early engagement with structural and geotechnical engineers, along with the general contractor, ensured that practical, coordinated solutions guided the project from the outset.

Astoria Copeland Commons is targeting Earth Advantage Gold certification.