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North Smithfield The facts:
Click here for footnotes. John O'Hearne: Designing quality, affordable homes John O’Hearne is an architect with O’Hearne Associates, an architecture, site, and planning firm in Slatersville, RI. He has designed several affordable housing developments in Rhode Island, including Constitution Hill and Woodridge Estates in Woonsocket. "Our firm designs affordable housing, market-rate housing, and high-end, custom housing. Some things are very similar. The quality we try to get for the residents is exactly the same. The big difference is economy. With affordable housing, we’re really under the gun to use the most economical materials that will still be very durable. So there’s a lot of extra research and product selection that goes into the project. Other than that, we try to look at the same amenities and get the best bang for the buck. The types of units that are designed are geared towards the need. In our area we have a need for large 3 and 4 bedroom units. A lot of these are accomplished are accomplished with existing buildings. At the Woodridge Estates, we tried to design a development that had buildings that resembled nice single family homes that might be put into a custom development. They were actually duplex units. When you come close to the homes, we still tried to keep the individual identity of each unit, so the owners of these affordable homes could have their own driveways, their own entryways. As far as the family goes, that’s probably one thing that’s a little bit different. When we do a lot of the high-end residences, many times that’s for a young professional or empty nester who tends to want different amenities, such as a luxurious bedroom or bathroom. Whereas our concentration is centered on the family and trying to provide comfortable spaces for the children as well the adults – and to provide a space where the family can be together, with the living and dining areas close by."  |
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