Milpitas, California, a city with a population of 77,000 people just north of San Jose, is connected via public transit to San Francisco. There, David Baker Architects, a local office, has completed a 102-unit affordable housing complex. The residential building located at 355 Sango Court is within walking distance to Milpitas Transit Center, a BART station. It consists of two, all-electric residential buildings set back from the property line, creating dynamic view corridors into a series of open spaces designed by Form/Work, a San Diego landscape architecture office.The building is clad in white and dark gray panels, and the windows are framed with perforated fins for shading purposes. The balustrades which line the exposed, open-air walkways are made of the same material as the fins for visual consistency, creating a dynamic statement in a burgeoning transit-oriented district.The projects defining features are the perforated sunshades that take cues from the contexts historic farmland. (Bruce Damonte)The $86 million permanently supportive housing complex rises up five stories and contains studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Other spaces within Sango Court, include laundry facilities, parking, a playground area, outdoor seating, and a community room stocked with a kitchen. It also houses important wraparound services like therapist offices for residents in need.Sango Court offers studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. (Bruce Damonte)A number of residents of Sango Court were previously facing severe housing insecurity, including Angelique Chisolm. It was rough, real rough. I didnt think Id be able to get a place on my own again, Chisolm told local Santa Clara County officials. I feel blessed. I love 355 Sango Court. Sango Court has a number of shared facilities. (Bruce Damonte)The complex is centered around a courtyard. (Bruce Damonte)Sango Court marks the first 100-percent affordable housing complex in Milpitas, a city where average rent for a one-bedroom apartment exceeds $2,500. David Baker Architects leveraged modular construction to reduce costs and timelines. The projects defining features are the perforated sunshades, balcony fences, and stairs from BK Modern that take cues from the contexts historic farmland. The firm has previously worked with the decorative and functional panels on its other residential work, including at Blue Oak Landing where the product was applied in a sawtooth formation and at Tahanan Supportive Housing complex.At Sango Court, these screens add cooling and visual interest. Weathered steel and concrete were deployed at street level, coupled with a welcoming garden entry, open-air lobby, and community-oriented ground floor.Open-air corridors connect residents to the units. (Bruce Damonte)Many of Sango Courts residents are people who previously experienced homelessness, including several veterans. The project was funded by the city of Milpitas, which made a $6.5 million investment, and a $16 million housing bond issued by Santa Clara County, the County Measure A Affordable Housing Bond.Moving forward, Santa Clara County is on track to add a total of 5,000 affordable units spread across ten cities.