While the design has all the LEED and sustainable features one would expect, we also believe that a broader measure of sustainability is making memorable place to live. To that end, our design focuses on the public realm, shaped by buildings where chance encounters can lead to friendships, where the form, character, and detailing of the environment convey beauty, safety, and intimate scale. The buildings are arranged to shape the street or create livable courtyards, and all units are designed with front doors and porches facing streets or courtyards providing “eyes on the street.”

Because the city was sensitive to the issue of inserting “low income” housing near country clubs, they insisted on a familiar and high standard of design. The “California Bungalow” style was selected because of its scale, and the ability to personalized buildings with a range of “add-on” elements (e.g. porches, trellis, roof extensions, etc.) without losing the basic proportions and elegance of the buildings.

Sustainability started by de-constructing an existing 66-unit motel (93% recycled material, by weight), and patching together left-over parcels, hence the unusual shaped site.

Next came the goal to conserve: water and energy. This project is located in a desert, but it does rain. The roof runoff is conveyed to an under-sidewalk French drain system that also allows the conveyance of large storms to stormwater “burritos” under the carports.  No open retention basins, the common desert solution.  Additionally, the xeriscape design saves even more water than required by current drought standards.

Saving energy includes passive design strategies: limit east-west windows and shade south-facing windows; use thermal mass cooling (stone counter tops, 5/8” drywall, ceramic tile flooring); high-performance envelope and equipment; create a high-volume central spine for the thermal chimney effect and night purging, and provide deep daylighting from clearstory windows which are bigger on the north-facing side.  Design efficient building envelopes with natural lighting first and it will reduce the size of mechanical and on-site generation systems.

The on-site generation cover all south-facing roofs with PV and solar thermal panels for hot water.  For future consideration, 100% of on-site parking is covered with carports as additional roof space for future PV.  Carports provide site shading to reduce heat island effect, shade buildings to keep envelops cooler, and shade senior residents in their daily activity in the desert.