Blue Star Corner

Emeryville CA | Completed 

2007

This 20-unit townhouse community draws inspiration from both Dutch rowhouses and British garden mews to provide high-density housing with plentiful light, air, and open space on a small urban infill site.

The tall, narrow townhomes face each other across semi-private patios and landscaped courtyards. Garden paths lead past entry landings to a shared grove courtyard lined with benches and art—a series of kinetic birdhouse sculptures by a local artist.

Each row of homes is flanked by a shared courtyard shaded with native, drought-tolerant plantings on one side and a permeable paved auto court on the other. The homes features distinct facades as well as dedicated personal outdoor space.

The simple arrangement of four buildings on a long, narrow site results in a density of 44 units/acre while retaining more than a quarter of the property as green open space. These infill homes make use of existing parks, public transit, and walkable and bikeable streets, strengthening a sense of community and ownership while promoting alternate transit.


Project Details


Project Number
20307

Address

Halleck Street and Sherwin Avenue
Emeryville, CA
United States



Status
Completed
2007

Number of Units
1 Bedroom
16
2 Bedroom
4

Total 20

Density Ratios
Project
30,582 sf
Site
20,082 sf
Acres
0.46
Units per Acre
43

Parking
Parking Spots
27
Parking Type
private

Certifications
LEED for Homes Certified

Recognition


Awards
Gold Nugget Award of Merit—Best Sustainable Community Attached
Pacific Coast Builders Conference
2008 Exceptional Residential—Bay Area Regional Design Merit Award
East Bay Chapter, American Institute of Architects
Citation Award—Excellence in Architecture
San Francisco Chapter, American Institute of Architects

Team


Client
Holliday Development
Architect
David Baker Architects
Landscape Architect
CMG Landscape Architects
Lighting Designer
Xanders Design Group
Structural Engineer
Tipping Mar + Associates
Contractor
Bjork Construction
Civil Engineer
Sandis

Keywords


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