In response to a critical need for additional senior housing in the rural community of Standish, Maine, Gawron Turgeon Architects, P.C. was retained by Avesta Housing to plan and design this 25-unit project. We assessed the existing affordable housing Stonecrest I site—with its rolling topography, ledge outcroppings, wetlands and a private septic system—to determine how many additional garden-style units could fit on the parcel of land with minimal impact on the environment.

The 25 units are one-story and total approximately 16,300 SF. The units are grouped together in five “pods”. The existing community building was also expanded and updated to accommodate the additional residents.

Funded by Rural Development and MaineHousing, the project was designed under the MaineHousing Green Building Standards with a farm-house architectural style to complement the rural fields that had been farmlands historically. Building orientation, spray-foam insulation, Energy Star appliances and light fixtures, low-flow plumbing fixtures and domestic solar hot water systems are just a few of the sustainable design components applied to the project.

Photography by Gawron Turgeon Architects, P.C..