The Amy is a new six-story development at the base of the West Hills, near the Portland State University campus. SERA worked with College Housing Northwest, a local nonprofit, to construct 75,000 sf of student affordable housing which offers 139 studios and 2-one bedroom units as well as underground parking. Building amenities include bike parking, an outdoor courtyard with a BBQ and fire table, and a green eco-roof. Communal kitchens offer lounge areas and spectacular views of downtown Portland.
With an emphasis on flexibility, the lobby is designed to foster both creativity and collaboration with built-in wall seating and large tables for laptop docking and group work. A large fireplace with mobile furniture contributes to the comfortable atmosphere for communal gatherings and potential movie nights.
The building’s design is modern and reflects uncluttered simplicity and an urban, creative vibe. Cool grey tones along with clean white and pops of color tie together the exterior and interior. Furthermore, exterior wood detailing warms the main entrance and is mimicked in the courtyard.
SERA worked extensively with the surrounding neighborhood to address community concerns and coordinate construction on the constrained site. In addition to the eco-roof, sustainable features include LED lighting throughout, low-flow plumbing fixtures and durable, long-lasting materials.
