Description
Oak Gardens is a 62 unit residential complex located on a 2.137 acre enhanced use lease at the Menlo Park Veterans Affairs campus. The housing will serve veterans, including formerly homeless vets, with units for individuals and families. Co-locating the housing on the VA campus provides residents with easy access to VA medical and support staff. The site is also close to services, shops, grocery, restaurants, and is situated in an high opportunity area close to job opportunities and excellent public schools.
The building nestles among large existing heritage trees, with multiple gardens designed around the building to offer a variety of outdoor community spaces. At the ground floor, a double height lobby welcomes residents and visitors alike. Community serving spaces like a large community room & kitchen, VA services for case management meetings, and MidPen resident services/activities also provide a wide range of support for incoming residents.
Design Features
- Historic Spanish style architecture of the original Menlo Park VA hospital building
- Simple sheds provide some visual interest
- Strong indoor outdoor integration of building and landscape elements
- Primary outdoor areas are adjacent to the community spaces
Green Features
- LEED Silver certification
- Large array of photovoltaic panels
- All-electric building – electric powered heating & cooling for both residences and common areas, and centralized electric domestic hot water
- Saved mature oak and redwood trees
- Large community garden, dog run, and walking path
Project Information
- Client: MidPen Housing
- Site Area: 2.137 acres
- Density: 62 units – 29 DUA
- Completion: Spring 2026
- Construction est.: 35M
Supportive Housing for Veterans and Special Needs
VMWP designs supportive housing that uniquely serves each community it houses, whether senior, veteran, previously unhoused, disabled, aging out of foster care, or having experienced trauma. Our affordable supportive housing projects are often coupled with on-site medical care and social services to meet the complex needs of residents. Health-focused design principles and an enhanced services model create a restorative environment for residents to access a continuum of services on site. As architects, we realize how the physical environment affects identity, worth and dignity, and how it can promote empowerment for residents.