Students Work To Redesign Affordable Housing Units In Chatham

CHATHAM, NJ — As affordable housing continues to be a hot topic in Chatham, the local high school has found a way to incorporate it into a creative and informative lesson plan.

Chatham High School architecture students created their own residential housing complex based on current affordable housing developments in Chatham Township.

The students were able to interview Chatham Township Mayor Ashley Felice and Township Engineer John Rushke in order to better understand the affordable housing projects and learn from the real-world professionals involved.

Students were able to redesign the Arbor Green lot, which is located on Southern Boulevard, for their project. Students had access to the site plan in order to design both one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

The Arbor Green housing development was approved by the Chatham Township Planning Board back in 2019 and will be composed of 24 affordable housing units: four one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units. There will also be at least 41 parking spaces on site.

The interview with township officials provided students with the opportunity to ask a series of questions about the specifications and constraints that current architects use when designing the space for residential buildings.

"Each year, I try to find new locations within the town so that we can continue the interviews with the mayor and township engineer. They have both been extremely helpful and set the tone of professionalism and realism in the designs since the students have to abide by the answers given in the interview," Chatham High School Architecture teacher Jason Mariano said.

Community members are invited to view the students’ finished designs here.

Each design includes a complete floor plan, a virtual mockup of the proposed space and a description written by the student.

"This project is a favorite of mine. Students get a chance to explore their community through the eyes of an architect. They learn floor planning, advanced software techniques, and become well-informed members of the town by becoming familiar with what goes into the current redevelopment stages of Chatham and Chatham Borough," Mariano said.