Overview:
At the intersection of historic preservation, affordable housing, community engagement, public life, and sustainability, the Langston Terrace Revitalization and Sustainability Plan addresses the changing needs of public housing in the 21st century through a resident-focused engagement and visioning process.
This DC Housing Authority (DCHA) property in Northeast DC was the city’s first public housing project and one of the country's first when it opened in 1938. Uniquely, it was created for African American families by an African American architecture and landscape team, in support of communal social progress and improved living conditions. The International Style campus was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The 11-acre site includes 274 apartment units in three- or four-level walkup buildings, one- and two-level townhouses, the original power plant (now decommissioned), and landscaping. Planning goals identied by the community in partnership with the planning team and DCHA were to prioritize safety and security, improve health and wellness, achieve net-zero energy, expand programming, celebrate and evolve Langston Terrace’s legacy, and foster inclusion and unity.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the engagement-driven community planning process at Langston Terrace
- Discuss the challenges of achieving ambitious sustainability goals in affordable housing projects
- Explore the evolution of a historic public housing community in supporting the needs of the residents today and tomorrow, including accessibility, safety, and health
- Identify opportunities and challenges of historic preservation in affordable housing communities
Presented by:
Kevin Storm, AIA, AICP, LEED AP
Partner, Beyer Blinder Belle
As an urban designer-architect, Kevin approaches design through the lens of city-making. Buildings and landscapes evolve, layering history, culture, and vitality onto the common ground of everyday life. At this intersection are some of our greatest opportunities—and obligations —for connecting people with their communities, and for designing a sustainable and more equitable future. A partner at Beyer Blinder Belle, Kevin is a practicing architect, planner, and urban designer for a blend of public and private sector projects. Since first joining Beyer Blinder Belle in 2000, Kevin has pursued creative solutions grounded in open-minded collaboration, empathetic engagement, historic awareness, and civic responsibility.
Alyssa Tope, AIA
Architect & Urban Designer, Beyer Blinder Belle
Alyssa Tope is a multidisciplinary architect and planner with experience in urban, architectural, and landscape design for residential, commercial, and urban-scaled projects. Although Alyssa contributes to all aspects of planning and design projects, she is passionate about planning for a sustainable future and brings a thoughtful eye to all of her work with a focus on sustainability.
Thor Nelson
Chief of Planning, Design, and Construction, DCHA
Thor Nelson is the Chief of Planning, Design and Construction at DC Housing Authority’s Office of Capital Programs, with over 15 years of experience planning the redevelopment and reinvestment of urban places. Thor is a strong leader with proven abilities training and mentoring staff while spearheading the completion of projects. He has expertise in architectural design review, master plan development, contract management, and community engagement. Prior to joining the DC Housing Authority in 2020, Thor worked at the DC Office of Planning as a Senior Urban Designer.
Brodrick Spencer, AICP
Development Project Manager, DCHA
Brodrick Spencer joined the DC Housing Authority in 2019 in support of the agency's 20-Year Transformation Plan to address the condition of its public housing portfolio. He is a Development Project Manager with experience working in communities and local governments to address a range of issues, including aordable housing, mobility, sustainability, urban design, and open space. Prior to joining the DC Housing Authority, Brodrick worked at AECOM as an Urban Planner.
Sharon Bradley, RLA
Founder, Bradley Site Design
Sharon Bradley, founder of Bradley Site Design, Inc., has been designing prominent public spaces and institutions of cultural and historic significance in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for over 37 years. She is committed to creating equitable, sustainable landscapes that seamlessly mesh sound engineering with inspiring design to give character and vitality to urban spaces. Actively involved in every phase of BSD projects, Sharon has developed a unique business model that addresses social, economic and ecological issues for a more comprehensive approach to design.
John Settles
President, Capital Sustainability
John is a proven leader known for crafting innovative strategic plans that advance organizational objectives and capabilities. With skills in leading collaboration, he is an expert in the areas of real estate finance, real estate development, construction management, sustainability, and community/economic development. Over the past 20 years, Mr. Settles has been instrumental in creating new mortgage lending strategies for prime and underserved markets; influencing public policy initiatives; developing numerous adaptive reuse strategies for properties; and fusing real estate transactions into broader community development programs.