Dignity Commons
Alameda, CA

Housing for Formerly Homeless Military Veterans

SUMMARY: 28 units of former military housing on the decommissioned Alameda Naval Air Station were transformed into beautiful apartments for single Vets and Vets with families.

This project was an intensive renovation of seven war-era apartment buildings (28 units) on the former Alameda Naval Air Station for use by homeless veterans and their families. The project was funded by the VA, Alameda County, the City of Alameda, and Operation Dignity, the non-profit group that manages the project.

Three heavily damaged units were chosen for gutting and rebuilding to be completely wheelchair-accessible, with roll-in showers and adjustable-height countertops.

Two carport spaces were converted to enclosed laundry rooms, and a central open-air covered pergola houses mailboxes, bulletin boards, and a site map, providing a place for neighbors to encounter and get to know one another.

Mikiten Architecture’s full-service approach included a detailed assessment of the 28 apartments by a professional building inspector in order to create precise construction documents for the renovation.

Since it was a public bidding process, we worked closely with a construction cost estimator to ensure that the level of renovations were appropriate to the budget

Two carport spaces were converted to enclosed laundry rooms, and a central open-air covered pergola houses mailboxes, bulletin boards, and a site map, providing a place for neighbors to encounter and get to know one another

Mikiten Architecture’s full-service approach included a detailed assessment of the 28 apartments by a professional building inspector in order to create precise construction documents for the renovation.

Since it was a public bidding process, we worked closely with a construction cost estimator to ensure that the level of renovations were appropriate to the budget.

Each of the nearly identical seven buildings was given its own identity with the addition of a painted sign (see “Banner Text” above). The words on the signs are a source of pride and inspiration for the Veteran residents as they rebuild their lives through work and living-skills programs.

Project Data:
Building: 28 units ( 32,418 s.f.)
Renovation Cost: $1,160,000
Site: 3.5 acres (8 units per acre)
Parking Spaces: 50 (1.8 per unit)
Features: Mailbox pergola, inspiring building signage.

Project Team
Client: Operation Dignity Northern California Land Trust
Principal Designer: Erick Mikiten, AIA
Project Manager: Elisa Mikiten

Before Renovation

Mailbox Pergola

Exterior Railing Elevation