Hawthorne EcoVillage: Smart Design for Eco-Friendly Urban Housing

Project Overview

BKBM provided structural and civil engineering services for Hawthorne EcoVillage, an innovative affordable housing development on a 1.24-acre site in northwest Minneapolis. The project features a main L-shaped apartment building and two adjacent detached townhome structures, all designed for resilience and community connectivity.

Project Highlights

  • Affordable Housing & Community Design:
    • The main building includes one level of below-grade parking, 71 affordable units, a large fitness room, bike storage, and a community room.
    • The development also includes two townhome buildings (each with two townhomes) and a central courtyard connecting townhomes to apartments.
    • Structural system features a slab on grade at the lowest level, precast podium with masonry perimeter walls, and four stories of wood framing (west) and three stories of wood framing (north). The three-story roof is designed to support a green roof system and solar arrays.
  • Efficient Site Solutions:
    • Significant 10-foot elevation change across the site challenged accessibility. BKBM collaborated with the architect to optimize doorway and sidewalk placement to maintain safe, accessible routes and connections to public streets.
  • Innovative Foundation Design:
    • When poor soil quality was discovered late in construction, BKBM quickly coordinated with the design and construction teams and the geotechnical engineer to develop alternatives.
    • Building locations were shifted, and helical piles with grade beams were used in place of costly soil corrections for one townhome, preventing major disruption to the construction timeline and neighboring alleyway.
  • Forward-Thinking Stormwater Management:
    • Native sandy soils, while stable, limited infiltration. To seek grant funding and exceed local standards, BKBM designed a linear stormwater management system featuring a re-use irrigation system, filtration tanks, cascading rain gardens, and permeable pavements.
    • These systems flow from west to east, gradually increasing the amount of stormwater volume treated and supporting irrigation and green space.

Engineering Solutions

BKBM delivered creative engineering responses to complex site and subgrade conditions while working within the constraints of an affordable housing budget. The integrated stormwater management approach and flexible foundation solutions maximized site functionality, sustainability, and resident experience.

Results & Impact

Hawthorne EcoVillage is a model for sustainable, affordable housing. The project overcame significant soil, drainage, and accessibility challenges while delivering energy-smart, comfortable homes and enriching community amenities. BKBM’s engineering ensured timely delivery and long-term value for Minneapolis’ neighborhoods.