Second Street Studios is located at the intersection of South Second Street and Keyes, the southern gateway to Downtown San Jose. This 135-unit affordable housing project occupies four floors above commercial space and provides on-site services to improve the quality of life for its residents. 

35% of the units are set aside for disabled individuals who require in-home support services. In accordance with USGBC’s LEED certification, the project incorporates green building materials and systems sourced locally in Silicon Valley. 

This project was the first development to utilize factory built housing for client First Community Housing, who sought to reduce project costs and accelerate speed of delivery. Since the project had initially been designed for a site-built approach, Lowney was brought on to partner with the architect of record and incorporate modular best practices, providing extra coordination from factory production through on-site labor and installation. 

Due to the project’s late pivot to modular, Lowney was tasked with navigating challenges ranging from permitting, to construction and inspections. Early decision-making with the factory helped reduce the number of change orders, and the desired scope for Second Street Studios was ultimately achieved.