AFFORDABLE ARTIST HOUSING

West Oakland, California

Many artists are displaced by gentrification in Oakland, unable to afford housing as many of them earn less than the national average income. The rich art scene in Oakland is partly linked to the high living cost in San Francisco, however, with Oakland’s prices skyrocketing in the past few years, many are forced to move elsewhere more affordable. West Oakland itself has a high concentration of industrial artists that needs spaces where they can practice their art forms. Providing a space where these different artists can use art as a medium to bring people together and display the community’s shared culture is essential.

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Designing an affordable housing and workplace project defined as live/work housing may be the solution to support needs of artists in West Oakland. Through the use of flexible design in addition to providing shared communal facilities, the project opens up opportunities for artists to create, collaborate and thrive.