As a centerpiece of Portland’s Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, Bud Clark Commons (BCC) represents a new approach to providing dignified housing and comprehensive services to help those experiencing homelessness. Located at the gateway to downtown Portland, near historic Union Station and bordering the Pearl District, BCC achieves a perceivable balance between the rigorous programmatic requirements of a coalition led by the City of Portland, a progressive design approach, and sustainable building practices.
The mission of BCC is to provide a continuum of services to help transition homeless individuals toward stability and a permanent living arrangement. The architecture helps achieve this goal in the expression of both form and function: a walk-in day center with a public courtyard and access to services; a shelter with 90 transitional and temporary beds for men; and a separate and secure entrance to 130 efficient, furnished studio apartments for single women or men seeking permanent housing with support services.
Holst approached BCC’s design with the attitude that addressing basic needs is not exclusive of design that dignifies the human condition. BCC is LEED Platinum. It has received numerous awards, including: 2014
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Top Ten Green Award 2013 Social Impact Design Awards – Honor Award (Public Architecture + AIA SF) 2013 Residential Architect Magazine Project of the Year 2012 National AIA / HUD Secretary Award, Creating Community Connection 2012 AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Merit Award 2011 AIA Portland Honor Award 2011 AIA Portland People’s Choice Award