Clearwater Gardens: Collaboration at the Core of Community Design
Affordable housing is most successful when it is designed for the long term, built to last, easy to maintain, and, most importantly, a place residents are proud to call home. That belief guided FK Architecture's design for Clearwater Gardens, a new affordable housing community in Clearwater, Florida, developed in partnership with Archway Partners, the City of Clearwater, the Clearwater Housing Authority, and a broader team of civil, structural, and MEP engineers. In April, the team celebrated the grand opening of the community, located at 1260 Cleveland Street.
A community-first approach to site planning
Clearwater Gardens was designed to feel welcoming and intuitive to navigate, supporting daily routines while creating natural opportunities for neighbors to connect. The site and amenity strategy emphasizes community interaction, helping transform an apartment development into a true neighborhood. The development also includes dedicated community garden spaces, with plans for a small pavilion where residents will gather, garden, and mingle. "Affordable housing and great design should go hand in hand," said Kimberly Hellekson, AIA, Managing Principal. "At Clearwater Gardens, we focused on creating a community that delivers long-term value, is thoughtfully planned, durable, and designed to support the resident experience."
Efficient unit layouts that support everyday living
The community features one- and two-bedroom apartments with interiors designed to feel modern, functional, and comfortable. Unit layouts maximize usable space, support flexible furniture arrangements, and create a sense of ease, details that shape how residents experience their homes every day. "Good design shows up in the small decisions," said Jessica Wyatt, Project Manager. "We worked closely with Archway Partners to ensure the layouts, materials, and systems support both resident comfort and long-term performance."
Interiors that elevate without overcomplicating
The project's success is rooted in the seamless integration of both the architecture and interior design teams. Jesy Acosta led the interiors with the spatial planning of the amenities and common areas. The strategic interplay of material, light, and form was important in the design. "By prioritizing interior design that restores, connects, and inspires, we ensure that attainable housing becomes a foundation for a better life," said Jesy Acosta, FK Interiors.
Designed for delivery, built for impact
What makes Clearwater Gardens especially meaningful is how it reflects a core truth in affordable housing: the best outcomes come from early alignment and strong collaboration. By working closely with Archway Partners from the outset, FK Architecture ensured the design supports development goals, operational needs, and, most importantly, resident quality of life. The project will also feature an art sculpture to be installed soon, following review of entries submitted by local artists, with the selected design moving forward for fabrication and installation. Clearwater Gardens reflects FK Architecture's ongoing commitment to multifamily and affordable housing design that is both community-focused and performance-driven.