Crossroads welcomed 176 people experiencing homelessness into the newly completed Summer Street apartments, the largest permanent supportive housing program in New England. Located on a once vacant lot in the Transit Oriented Development zone near downtown Providence, RI  it now houses 176 one bedroom apartments with seasonally themed floors (Summer, Spring, Winter, Autumn)that promote a sense of identity and community among residents, and help to navigate within the building. 

The large landscaped courtyard in the center of the building serves both an entry court and desired greenspace for residents and their guests to safely gather and linger off the street corner. The entry lobby and community rooms open into the courtyard making it a focal point. The light conditions made it a perfect place to bring nature into the city with a woodland garden. Heritage birches with peeling barks, ferns, sedges, lush native plants, and gentle berms create rooms within the courtyard while allowing perambulation and smaller areas to retreat and gather. A variety of understory trees, lush and varied perennials and ground covers bring in a sense of delight, fragrance, coolness and seasonal color to help heal, soothe and offer hope to residents.

The courtyard level sits above the parking area, offering opportunities for seating nooks and separation from the parking. Light pattern of dappled light is reflected in the paving pattern that works with the building finishes making it an inviting space. Comfortable and quality benches add to the sense of comfort safety and respect.

The streetscape has an Allee of Native trees, a ground cover layer and new sidewalks. The unsuitable site soils offered an opportunity to use sand based structural soils that extend significantly the life of the street trees, and act as base for sidewalks while being cost effective, creating a simple and effective streetscape on Summer, Congdon and Stewart Street.