Watershed
637 is an innovative new prototype for infill housing development in Santa
Fe. Its design draws upon the city’s
vernacular tradition of stepped clustered courtyard housing, while utilizing
cost effective sustainable strategies to create a contemporary residential
compound. In order to tie into the
City’s Living River Initiative, our approach was to treat the site and
buildings as a miniature watershed. The
buildings and landscape were designed to mimic the form and ecosystem of a
canyon.
Water
is captured on upper roofs for storage & re-use in toilet flushing. Green lower roofs reduce storm water run-off,
provide additional insulation and provide outdoor space for residents. Grey water is captured and used for landscape
irrigation. Site run-off is managed in
constructed wetland, designed to re-create a New Mexican riparian eco
system. Surface water overflow from the
site enters the Santa Fe River through a river restoration project. All of these features work to conserve water,
raise the water table and increase the health of the river.
Additionally,
residents will actually make $25 per year on utilities through a centralized
solar heating and electric generation system.
These residences will be over 70%
more efficient than standard detached single family homes. An HOA would partner
with a local property management company to finance the water and energy
systems under a lease-back agreement . Healthy materials and a modular
construction system create affordable and healthy homes for residents. These green features combined with an
innovative design, make Watershed 637 a prototype design for infill sites throughout
the City Different.
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