Holland Architects, Ltd, in association with Walden Design, planned 150 low cost housing units for the Chester Housing Authority with CHK Architects on our team. The Authority was very interested in tenant participation in the design process as well as following the guidelines of HUD's Hope VI program to improve not just housing projects, but also the surrounding neighborhood.

In order to ensure tenant participation, a design charrette took place on site for one week. Tenants were invited to stop in to watch the architects at work and to have one-on-one talks about the future of the site. There were also three meetings: one each at the beginning, the middle, and at the end of the process.

By the end of the design phase the tenants were comfortable with the design approach as well as the designs that were shown. The Authority was not only happy with the good public relations but also the budget and unit mix as well.