We’ve added two restaurants to our building program because in this part of Oakland a project that combines ground floor retail with housing above is the highest and best use. Mixed use developments feature lower infrastructure costs, increased tax revenue, and reduced traffic compared to single use projects. Also they create less pollution. The parking is provided by a semi-automatic “puzzle” parking system company. The structure features four wood framed floors supported by a two story concrete block and steel base.
As the project developed we moved from an architecture of mass to one of glass in order to express the connection of the project interior to the outdoors. By making the project more transparent, we were able to better connect residents visually with the surrounding community. Also, we developed a series of totemic “light columns” on the Craig Street front facade, visible both indoors and from outside, that enhance the connection at night when the effect is particularly visible. Our renderings demonstrate that both the light filled residential units and the common areas have been carefully designed according to the WELL standard of “improving comfort, driving better choices, and generally enhancing, not compromising, health and wellness.”
We made every effort to design an affordable high density, multifunctional environment that is physically attractive. However, this project has been on hold for two years and is unlikely to move ahead in its current form.