bahia meadows

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bahia meadows

Firm

Type

Residential › Private House Multi Unit Housing

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$1M - 5M

A competition entry for low cost, sustainable senior housing in California - Bahia Meadows is a suburban infill project of 29 accessible dwellings and a range of community facilities focused on habitat preservation, agriculture, and local commerce.New buildings are proposed only on
existing graded pads, leaving extensive areas of the site dedicated to
agriculture and open space, encouraging coexistence with wildlife. Agricultural uses are planned at the
level of the individual and the community, encouraging a neighborhood identity that's based on a sustained balance between the beneficial use and preservation of nature.Inspired
by the turf-roofed structures of the Coast Miwok, each dwelling has a
grass roof hosting native meadow plants, promoting biodiversity and
replacing the ground displaced by the housing. Entering the community from Bahia Drive, the roofscape
of solar panels and meadow-covered roofs presents a new terrain. Dwellings
placed side by side in groups of up to three are informally staggered as they
terrace down the slopes. Patios
and decks are located at the east and west end of each home, taking advantage
of the expansive views, and promoting social interaction between residents
next door. Drought tolerant native oak trees and bunch grasses are
planned for the spaces around the houses; restoring habitat while reducing
maintenance and water use. Raised
planting beds allow residents to maintain small kitchen gardens.
The main street
intersection is planned as a neighborhood public
space, linking Bahia to Novato, activated by the traffic in and out of the
community. A mix of
services converge at this node: a General Store with local produce and light
food service, a pharmacy/part-time nurse, an outdoor gathering space, a
demonstration garden, and a vineyard maintenance area. Laundry and housecleaning services for
senior residents are also based here, creating a small community hub where
residents, visitors from adjacent neighborhoods, and hikers from the adjacent trail interact. A new accessible walking trail through the natural and agricultural open
space within Bahia also meets this junction.The
dwellings reduce energy consumption through their solar
orientation, as well as their passive and active features. Depending on the
season, indoor air is pre-heated or pre-cooled via a heat recovery
ventilator and a ground duct heat exchanger. A roof-installed solar thermal collector heats domestic
water and hydronic system.
Photovoltaic panels cover the parking areas, capable of generating well
in excess of the dwellings' energy consumption.