Maria Song, AIA LEED & AP is the lead architect for CHOC’s Monarch Apartment Homes affordable housing development in Palm Springs, CA. Photo: screen grab from a Conduit Studios LLC video.

Breakthrough Discussion Showcases Creation of Economically Integrated Neighborhoods

(Palm Springs, CA) - Interactive Design Corporation’s Maria Song AIA, LEED & AP, is featured in Modernism Week 2021’s online experience, as part of the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance’s Fast Forward/Designing the Future of Palm Springs digital event - a series of discussions led by award winning and nationally known architects and designers. The lead architect for Community Housing Opportunities Corpration’s Monarch Apartment Homes in Palm Springs, Ms. Song presents these IDC multifamily affordable housing designs in her Fast Forward presentation.

In her PSAA module, Ms. Song details how the affordable housing process works; the intricacies of funding, the absolute need for beautifully designed, economically integrated housing and how communities benefit when working families have an affordable place to call home. Ms. Song’s discussion on affordable housing is thought to be a breakthrough and the first time the affordable housing topic includes such a comprehensive overview of architectural design and renderings for a signature event like Modernism Week.

The Monarch Apartment Homes story began in 2018. Responding to a City of Palm Springs RFP, CHOC was ultimately selected to develop affordable housing in the Upper West Side neighborhood (September 2018). CHOC’s Vice President of Real Estate Development Vincent Nicholas highlighted the neighborhood’s lauded architectural design: “We’re keenly aware of the need to be compatible with the surrounding architecturally treasured neighborhood…we intend to build an award-winning complex that will not only complement the neighborhood, but will be a source of pride for neighbors and the City.”

Manuela Silva, CEO of Community Housing Opportunities Corporation, echoed these thoughts. "We are profoundly grateful to have been selected by the City of Palm Springs to undertake this much-needed and well-deserved project for the community. We understand the importance of this project and the gift of opportunity, in partnership with the community, to redefine the paradigm for affordable housing in Palm Springs. We are particularly excited about working closely with our neighbors to deliver a development that respects the built environment and honors the City's commitment to working families." When interviewed by The Desert Sun, Ms. Silva added: “Palm Springs has the opportunity to be at the forefront of what affordable housing is and can be in a community.”

Once IDC became CHOC’s designated architectural firm, the design and financing process began, as well as inputs from City of Palm Springs administrators and staff, and several face-to-face conversations with neighborhood associations. The success of CHOC’s community-based efforts received praise from the City Council, as well as Palm Springs residents and business owners, prior to the Councilmembers’ unanimous approval of sixty (60) Monarch Apartment units on February 6, 2019 – the city’s first affordable housing approval in 10 years.

“This is a priority for us,” said Councilmember Christy Holstege, who co-chaired the Council’s Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Affordable Housing with Councilmember Lisa Middleton. They both voiced their support for additional developments across the city to bring economic diversity to what is often viewed as an exclusive resort destination.

“Very few cities in the state of California are in compliance with state required units for affordable housing,” said Councilmember J. R. Roberts. “It’s not that cities don’t want affordable housing, they do, especially for the people who work in their cities. Many of our very own staff here at City Hall can’t afford to live in Palm Springs. These projects are difficult, very difficult to bring to fruition and we are very fortunate that we are at this place tonight, that we get to not only approve it, but fund it and help it.”

As articulated by former Councilmember Roberts, this desire – and CHOC’s mission-based mandate to create viable, economically integrated communities - is what led the organization to Maria Song and IDC. It also drew the attention of Palm Springs Architectural Alliance co-founder Debra Hovel. “From watching and working with Maria, her enthusiastic embrace of this idea for an inclusive community is one reason we wanted her in our (Modernism Week online) program,” says Ms. Hovel. “We advocate for high design in housing for low-income families and individuals and Maria has done that, has proven that it can work. Her excellence of design, from choice of materials to layout of the property and parking and her sense of justice for all people in the design of architecture is key to her success.”

An Interactive Design Corporation rendering of The Monarch Apartment Homes in Palm Springs, CA.

Ms. Song’s stunningly conceived Monarch Apartment Homes design, crafted to blend with iconic Wexler midcentury modern homes in the neighborhood, is a multifamily affordable housing development for working families and individuals. One of the goals of CHOC’s initiative is to demonstrate that beautifully designed, affordable housing blends into any neighborhood, even upper income enclaves.

“We are proud of Maria’s participation in this unique Modernism Week event,” says Mr. Nicholas. “This is an important opportunity for the design community to learn how they can embrace architectural designs that showcase their communities while demonstrating concerted efforts to build economically integrated housing. Affordable housing is the most basic way to stabilize working families and every community should strive to support these efforts.”

Lisa Vossler Smith, Executive Director for Modernism Week, also voiced her support for Maria’s work and design ethos. “(Modernism Week) brings together an impressive array of architects, designers, educators, community members, and preservationists to discuss the future of architecture and urban planning in the greater Palm Springs area,” she said. “We are excited to hear what Maria Song will discuss regarding the architecture and design of low-income housing projects.”

“I have been lucky to be able to create homes for those most at risk,” says Ms. Song. “My goal is to share the positive joys that come from this work, like the work CHOC gave me to create The Monarch Apartment Homes. It is CHOC’s diligence to detail, including critical sensitivity to the community, that informed every aspect of The Monarch’s design. As part of their team, I want the audience to understand there is nothing cheap about affordable housing. These complex development deals result in highly financed, high performing, beautifully designed structures. What is affordable is the rent, not the materials used or the landscaping or the (high energy efficiency) standards and goals that must be met to achieve this much-needed housing. The result is always a building that any community is proud to include as part of its fabric, a building that adds vibrancy and viability for a long time.”

Ms. Song is one of seven Fast Forward presenters, the entire PSAA program, in addition to all Modernism Week online offerings, are now available for purchase and viewing via Modernism Week online.

Visit the #CHOCxMW mini-site.

Read the #CHOCxMW press release.

Founded in 1984, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC), a non-profit, affordable housing developer based in Fairfield, California, with offices in Palm Springs, works to create equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors and for those with special needs. CHOC believes that affordable housing is key to self-sufficiency and is achievable with enriching, supportive programs that give pride to residents, stabilize families and improve local economies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sydney Weisman | 323.804.3102

CHOC’s Monarch Apartment Homes Architect at Modernism Week