Nicole Sandoval Building

Community-Centered, Net Zero Energy NE Portland Affordable Housing

The Nicole Sandoval Building is a holistic response to the need for affordable, high-quality housing in Northeast Portland, an area of the city that includes historically Black neighborhoods impacted by gentrification. This project replaces an existing two-story, 22-apartment building with a new community offering 78 apartments, generating 56 additional affordable homes. Apartments are a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences and promote access to views and natural light, use durable materials, incorporate enhanced climate control, and have efficient floorplans. The urgency for a sustainable approach was clarified through engagement with the client and stakeholders—it is the burden of utility bills, rather than unpaid rent, that often leads to eviction. An innovative geothermal mechanical system is key to the project's pursuit of Path-to-Net-Zero, which reduces the energy demand, resulting in a reduction in operating costs and elimination of resident utility bills, a crucial step to reinforcing housing stability.

Location
Portland, OR

Size
79,442 sf
78 apartments

Year
Estimated March 2028

The Nicole Sandoval Building applies universal and accessible design to enhance the ability of all residents to navigate shared spaces. The interior design concept is understood through a blending of contemporary modern design with traditional elements and character. This approach brings the feel of the Alberta neighborhood into the lobby, community room, and corridors, crafting a strong sense of place and connection. Creating a healthy interior environment for residents and staff was prioritized through the application of low-VOC materials, and in response to the client’s desire for durability, SEA was intentional in the treatment of walls, ceilings, and floors in high-traffic areas, specifying design solutions with longevity in mind.

The development is named for Nicole Sandoval—known to many as Nikki Brown Clown—a visionary artist, devoted mother, former Sabin resident, Board Chair, and beloved children’s entertainer. For decades, she has filled parks, libraries, and the PDX Storybook Garden with laughter and light, turning everyday moments into celebrations of Black culture, identity, and joy. Her performances are more than entertainment—they are affirmations.

The King District, where the Nicole Sandoval Building is located, is architecturally rich, with a prevalence of materials and typologies as part of the neighborhood fabric. The architecture infuses whimsy with elements like a large entrance archway and striking colors, a nod to the district’s vibrant art scene. The design is influenced by this richness and uses massing and materiality to relate to its surroundings. The site is long and linear, extending North from Alberta Street and bridging between this bustling commercial corridor and the surrounding residential neighborhood.

By redeveloping this site to increase density, integrate sustainability, and reanimate historic character, the design combats displacement and contributes vibrant and community-driven homes that foster well-being.

The development is broken into two volumes. The front volume is brick, a timeless, approachable material. This volume is characterized by a rhythm of piers and glazing that brings a pedestrian-scaled articulation to the street level, recreating an experience lost over time to urban renewal. The rear volume uses texture to break down the scale and relate to the neighboring single-family homes—siding shifts in articulation as it moves up the building, gradually reducing to make the upper levels feel lighter. Both volumes wrap around a private outdoor courtyard, a resident amenity space that encourages connection with nature and the Sabin community.