Mid City Gardens Apartments and Activity Center

Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mid City Gardens Apartments and Activity Center is comprised of three separate sites that total 2.1 acres. EOA Architects teamed with local Baton Rouge firm, Post Architects, to replace existing housing units with a new sustainable residential model along with new community-supported programs. In addition, a 13,273 square foot Activity Center was constructed. The previous conditions on the sites included 68 low-income residential units with walk-up style apartment buildings and surface parking. The site did not have existing green space nor neighborhood amenities. The buildings had been vacant for years and were in varying degrees of disrepair. The blighted area was in desperate need of local amenities, neighborhood green space, affordable housing options and an overall boost to its spirit. The progressive and highly sustainable design of Mid City Gardens provides a beacon of hope, changing the landscape of this struggling Baton Rouge neighborhood. The master plan was comprised of eight building components. The main site includes six residential buildings with multiple unit types and configurations and one mixed-use building. The public Activity Center is placed on a highly active street corner anchoring the development and making it visible for the development and overall neighborhood.

Client

LHC, Louisiana Housing Corporation

Place

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Scale

68 Low-Income Units and 13,273 SF Activity Center

Recognition

LEED-NC Gold Certification (Activity Center)

Energy Star Rating (Apartments)

2014 Award of Merit, AIA Louisiana

2014 Good Growth Award, Baton Rouge Growth Coalition

2013 Rose Award-Gold, AIA Baton Rouge

2013 Award of Excellence, AIA Tennessee

2010 Un-Built Award, AIA Middle Tennessee

Photography

Chad Chenier