RDL Architects

RDL Architects building with care

RDL Architects is a company with a big heart, building under a three-tiered vision of simple, economical, and beautiful designs of which, 75 percent are tax credit housing and urban revitalization projects.

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RDL Architects

building with care

By Rebecca Rodriguez ABOVE: Library Court Senior Apartments, Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Image by Bob Reighard.

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RDL Architects has a big presence in six states, a big dedication to quality work, and a big heart. Most of the company’s projects are for the special needs populations, such as the financially disadvantaged, seniors, and women and children at risk.

“What I’m doing is gratifying. I’m doing something more purposeful by creating affordable housing for people less fortunate,” said company president Ronald Lloyd.

The company, based in Shaker Heights, Ohio, builds what is called tax credit housing with money that comes from a pool of accumulated federal funds that developers can apply for. The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s LIHTC program acts as an indirect federal subsidy used to finance the development of affordable rental housing for low-income households.

Seventy-five percent of what RDL builds is tax credit housing, including urban revitalization projects. It also completes some retail stores and corporate facilities.

The company builds under a three-tiered vision of simple, economical, and beautiful.

Lloyd explained that the “simple” principle meant defining a project at its essence and delivering what

the client is asking for. The “economical” part is meant to convey the company will act as good stewards that can deliver something that is cost effective. The “beautiful” aspect means that the end result is inviting and pleasing to the eye.

A current project, the Garfield Heights Redevelopment, is slated as a three phase, $20 million per phase project set on 45 acres and consisting of 90 units of multifamily housing in Pittsburgh, Pa. The clients are KBK Enterprises and the Housing Authority of Pittsburgh.

The site had been slated for demolition but was then reassigned as a tax credit program.

RDL redesigned the units to be more integral with the streets of the neighborhood. They were redesigned to replicate the late 1800s feel. Instead of the shoebox, flat roof design from before, it was given a more traditional look with a two-story town house, side-by-side design. The project was on a challenging site due to a slope. RDL moved the parking areas to the back and terraced the site, graduating it in order to level it off.

Another project which sits closer to home is the Library Court Senior Housing.

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The city of Shaker Heights had reclaimed some property and tore down some car dealerships in order to provide room for a revitalized section of town. Lloyd introduced the city to PIRHL, the Partnership for Income Restricted Housing Leadership, a Cleveland-based owner, developer, and general contractor of affordable single family and multifamily housing.

It will be a 44-unit senior housing development on a site adjacent to a public library. Set on a major thoroughfare, this transit oriented development will enjoy high visibility and will enable its residents to access a host of services and amenities that seniors need for daily living. The unit mix in these garden style apartments consists of 12 one-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom suites with up to 856 square feet. The project involves new construction of a threestory elevator building.

The development will target seniors aged 55 and older earning at or below 60% of the Annual Medium Income for Cuyahoga County,

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Ohio and is funded through tax credit financ“But we do go as far as our clients go,” Lloyd ing. It is slated to be completed in Dec. 2011. said. “We’ve been as far west as California and “There’s a lot of older residents who want to as far south as Florida.” stay here (Shaker Heights) but there’s not a lot Lloyd said the company is active with supoffered,” Lloyd said. “This will help keep people porting a lot of housing authority organizations. in the neighborhood. They’ve lived here all their “We’re popular these days because of our lives but can’t pay the taxes on their homes.” access to federal funding,” he said.

Lloyd said his company is active with national The tax credits come out of the federal governorganizations involved with senior care, not- ment’s stimulus package. The higher the demand ing that studies have shown only 15 percent for the credits, the more they are worth. is being met for seniors in need.

“If there’s more money in the marketplace, RDL will do either preservation or new our developers have greater access. If there’s construction under tax credit funding. Lloyd said he considers himself and his staff experts at the revitalization work they have been doing for the past 14 years since LaQuatra Bonci Associates is proud to collaborate with RDL Architects. the company was founded. As landscape architects, LBA’s focus is urban design, multi-family housRDL is licensed in 23 states, ing, park, and site design. LBA strives to create landscapes that are not only inviting but also responsive to their context. LaQuatra Bonci but works primarily in Michi- recommends RDL Architects for their commitment to quality. For more gan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, information on how LBA can serve your landscape architecture needs, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. visit www. laquatrabonci.com.

LAQUATRA BONCI ASSOCIATES

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less money there’s less projects and less for us,” he said. “It’s nice to see that pool is growing. When there’s more to work with than the value for credits is higher. The developers will pay more for these credits.”

RDL is also dedicated to green building. But instead of using the LEED scoring system, they follow a checklist given by the Enterprise Institute which helps fund affordable housing projects. Based on LEED, it forces clients to meet certain criteria, such as indoor air quality, air exchange requirements, use of renewable wood products, and the exclusive use of florescent lighting.

In the future Lloyd said he sees requirements leaning toward solar and ground source heat pumps.

Lloyd said the current economic atmosphere has not had an effect on his business.

“We’re pretty fortunate our expertise has depth to it. We’re recession proof but not without pain. Our clients are having a tough time closing projects,” he said. “We’re not out of the woods by a long shot,” Lloyd said referring to the state of his profession.

Thirty-five percent of architects, he said, are unemployed.

“The building industry just doesn’t have any legs,” Lloyd said. “But we have a niche (affordable housing). Not too many people do this stuff.”

An aspect of his business that makes RDL unique is the company’s “clarette” process.

It involves brainstorming with the client from the very beginning. The master plan is developed faster.

“It allows our client to be engaged immediately and really involved in the process,” Lloyd said. “It’s good clients want to participate and want to make sure they’re understood.

It’s a more efficient use of their time and our time. The design process can be cut from weeks to days.”

The company was started in 1994 by Lloyd who had worked for several firms prior.

RDL employees 12 people, ranging from architects to construction administrators.

Lloyd said that although his main job is to oversee projects, he does like to get in on them at the beginning.

“My strength is conceptual design,” Lloyd said, adding that he works “old school,” drawing with pen and paper at his design desk.

Lloyd said he takes much pride in his employees.

“I’m a strong believer that you surround yourself with people who can do better than you can do,” he said.

But Lloyd stands strongly at the helm, leading a company that works hard for the less fortunate. A commendable niche to work in, especially with such dedication and expertise. ALT

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TOP: Garfield Commons, Pittsburgh.

Single family and duplex homes fronting the commons. Photo by Jan Shergalis Photography.

MIDDLE LEFT: Garfield Commons, Pittsburgh.Garfield Commons Communtiy Site Plan. Image by Laquatra Bonci Associates.

BOTTOM: Garfield Commons, Pittsburgh. Typical four unit cluster with a UFAS compliant accessible unit shown in the foreground. Photo by Jan Shergalis Photography.

MISTICK CONSTRUCTION For over 50 years, Mistick Construction has focused on building trusted relationships with Owners and Architects. Mistick is pleased to have enjoyed just such a relationship with the creative and talented firm of RDL on both market rate and affordable housing projects. Best wishes from Mistick Construction to RDL Architects for continued success as an industry leader.

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1100 H Street NW Suite M Washington D.C. 20005 info@architectureleaderstoday.com www.architectureleaderstoday.com