NOGALES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The architecture of the Bowman Senior Residences was centered on the preservation of the existing three-wythe, non-reinforced, 3 story brick masonry walls along the east and west facades – which are a defining feature in downtown Nogales. The interior structure of the Bowman Hotel, built in 1917 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was unusable by current standards, so a new building structure of wood framing on a steel podium was constructed, with tie-ins to support the two historic facades. The design of the new exterior envelope is compatible with, but in stark contrast to the historic, to both distinguish and celebrate the joining of new and old.

The first level of the building is half indoor community spaces that fit within the “footprint” of the original Bowman Hotel, including a lobby in the original location. The remaining half is outdoor courtyard space for residents with an open-air atrium at the center and a steel mesh “storefront” at the sides to continue the pattern of the area’s pedestrian-scale street-scape. All 48 single bedroom residential of the historic building sharing an interior corridor. The remaining units are accesses by exterior walkways around an atrium which not only brings in natural light and ventilation into the center of the project, but also aims to promote social connection.

Commendations :

2016 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Award for Best Rural Project

2016 Affordable Housing Finance Award – Affordable Housing in the U.S.

2017 Architectural Record Article “Design of the Public Realm”

Location : Nogales, Arizona

Year of Completion : 2016

Size : 48,000 SF – 48 Units

Cost : $8,000,000