Botwin Commercial Development has joined with Kansas State University’s Design + Make Studio, el dorado and Studio Build to construct an affordable duplex project in the Waldo Business District.

The project, located at 7509 Pennsylvania Avenue, should be completed this summer.

Botwin partner David Alpert said the project was designed to meet a need, noting many people work in Waldo but can’t afford to live there. He noted Kansas City rent is increasing at a rate 56 percent higher than the national average. The project starts with one duplex with two units.

“This duplex project is designed to accommodate families and individuals who want quality housing at a price they can afford,” Alpert said. “Rent will be based on individual income levels, following government guidelines.”

Botwin formed a partnership with Kansas State University’s Design+Make Studio under the tutelage of el dorado inc, an architectural firm based in the Crossroads Arts District. The KSU Design+Make Studio provides students with opportunities to work with real clients, budgets and timelines.

The project allows graduate architecture students to participate fully in the design and build process. The Waldo duplex project is its most ambitious project to date and aligns with KSU’s focus on service learning.

The duplex is being built by Studio Build, a local design and construction firm located in the Crossroads Art District. The students will also get ”hands on”’ construction experience supervised by Studio Build.

The project uses quality design materials in a modest footprint yet includes amenities a new tenant would expect. Each unit is two-bedroom, one bath with 735 square feet of living space.

Design+Make is an academic partnership between a Kansas State University capstone design studio and el dorado inc. This studio explores conceptually driven, expertly crafted architecture at all scales of work, with all types of clients and in all locations.

Botwin Commercial Development (Class of 2010) and el dorado (Class of 2007) are Thinking Bigger Business Media 25 Under 25 alumni.