Dorchester, MA
Norwell St Affordable Condominiums
Located in Dorchester’s Greater Four Corners neighborhood, the Norwell Street Affordable Condominiums create twelve new homeownership opportunities across three contiguous parcels just blocks from HUE Architecture’s office. Developed through the Welcome Home Boston RFP, the project addresses housing inequity while advancing the City’s sustainability and resiliency goals.
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The development includes three freestanding buildings designed to fit comfortably within the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood. Each building includes a mix of family-sized and smaller condominium units, with half of the homes designed for families and a majority affordable at or below 80% AMI. The unit mix supports a range of residents, from lower-income families seeking long-term roots in the neighborhood to young professionals and households looking to downsize.
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The buildings are all-electric and designed to Passive House standards, with high-performance roofs, walls, foundations, windows, and balanced ventilation systems that provide continuous fresh filtered air. Robust insulation, thermal-bridge reduction, and rooftop solar are integrated to reduce energy use, improve comfort, and support long-term affordability for homeowners.
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The project also promotes low-carbon transportation through secure bike storage for each unit and dedicated electrical capacity for Level 2 EV charging at each parking space. Together, these strategies balance practical resident needs with a clear path toward lower energy use, reduced emissions, and more resilient neighborhood housing.
Types
Office, Residential
Status
Completed 2023
Client
Dorchester Design Collaborative
Collaborators
General Contractor - Star Contracting Company Inc.
Structural Engineer -Â Siegel Structural Engineers
MEP/FP - Anthony Gray
Civil Engineer/Survey - Paul J. Tyrell PE
Passive House Consultant - Northeast Projects
Energy/HERS - SEA
Prefab Panel - Bensonwood
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Project Team
Principal in Charge - Matthew Mueller
Design Lead - Jennifer Ha
Design Team - Roger Chi
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