laS PALMAS APARTMENTS
The 1950's-motel-style apartment building transformed into a serene oasis
project specifics
15370 & 15375 Tropic Court, San Leandro
91 Family Units
project team
Owner/Developer: Eden Housing
Contractor: Deacon Corp
MEP & Low Voltage Engineer: Guttman & Blaevoet
Structural Engineer: Tipping Structural
Surveying & Civil Engineering: Luk & Associates
Landscape Design: First Carbon Solutions
Solar Design & Installation: Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
project scope
Most elements within the buildings dated to original 1950's construction. Both plumbing and electrical systems were failing, and the original exterior was allowing water into the building. This set the baseline for a gut rehabilitation that eventually included all new unit interiors, structural upgrades, accessibility improvements, and an augmented community area. Residents were temporarily relocated in phases during construction.
DESIGN PROCESS
We had multiple conversations around this original hand sketch of Las Palmas - what was inspiring, what made it work, and what did not translate.
Our first effort broke up the long courtyard corridors into chunks and began playing with primary colors.
The second iteration kept the primary colors but created a checkerboard within the building chunks.
Third push moved to the exterior and tried a checkerboard.
The final design scheme.
SITE WORK
The project was fortunate to be able to improve the site, irrigation and landscaping throughout. A greywater reuse system was installed to capture laundry water and utilize it for irrigation.
SOLAR
The project installed a solar thermal and solar photovoltaic system on the expansive roofs which help offset the common energy loads year round.
