“The community spaces at The Abigail provide welcoming places for residents to gather, socialize, and learn. We love the main community room’s expansive windows and flexible functionality. The room is suitable for everything from resident workshops to family playtime and birthday celebrations. The dedicated space for Impact NW, our services partner, is not only beautiful, it’s thoughtfully designed and situated to serve residents well.”
-Cynthia Parker, President and CEO of BRIDGE Housing
Even though The Abigail focuses on affordable housing, we designed it to fit the Pearl District’s sophistication. Because BRIDGE’s model for The Abigail also includes market-rate housing, our goal was simple: Raise the level of design for affordable housing with inspiring spaces and high-quality finishes.
Both six-story buildings are linked by a transparent bridge that is accessible at every floor. The glass of the bridge brings ample light into the building, a welcome change from the common artificially-illuminated corridors of other apartment buildings.
Inside, our design took a modern, warm approach with a touch of urban elements to match the neighborhood. Warm wood tones and natural materials add a Scandinavian and Pacific Northwest-inspired look to the interior spaces. Concrete floors and modern shapes give the buildings their approachable, contemporary aesthetic. Finishing touches and details were chosen for their durability as well as their modern aesthetic.
Residents’ guest rooms for visiting friends and family are designed to match a hospitality-style experience. While the large community room serves a variety of purposes, its underlying design focuses on encouraging belonging. Art throughout The Abigail comes from the Albertina Kerr art program, which supports the creative growth of local artists experiencing intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.