Paratransit
The purpose of this project is to provide affordable housing and child care primarily for employees of Paratransit, a non-profit group providing transportation service for the physically challenged and will fill a void along Florin Road and Woodbine, activating the street with retail and commercial uses.
The project consists of three parts: a 24-hour childcare center with capacity for 150 children; affordable apartments (one, two and three-bedroom units); and an 5,500 square foot commercial space.
Some of the important design features include:
- The site is located directly across from the Paratransit headquarters, which would allow many of the residents to walk to work.
- A community center
- Retail along Florin Road with wide sidewalks.
- A central green space will serve as a play space and also provide an on-site water detention swale.
- The low-slope roof will allow for a photovoltaic array.
- Extensive use of solar sun shade devices on the south, west, and east facing facades.
- Exterior patios and balconies are included in each unit.
- Tuck under parking is designed to maximize the density on the site, while minimizing the amount of exposed pavement.
- The project is within walking distance to the lightrail station.
- The childcare roof design maximizes the opportunity for natural daylighting.
Project Details:
Owner/Developer: Paratransit, Inc. / C.H.O.C.
Architect: Mogavero Notestine Associates
Consultants: Civil: Cunningham Engineering / Structural: Miyamoto International / Electrical: Sacramento Engineering / Mechanical/Plumbing: Peters Engineering / Landscape: Haag
General Contractor: Walsh & Forster
Total Site Area: 2.06 Acres
Retail/Commercial Area: 5,500 s.f.
Childcare Area: 10,000 s.f.
Residential Area: 49,200 s.f.
# Of Units / Density: Residential units: 44 / 21 units/acre
Previous Use of Site: Vacant
Construction Details: Residential: 3-Story; Type V - 1HR / Childcare Building: 1-Story; Type V - NR
Date of Completion: EST. Fall 2007
Specialized Approaches
Ecologically sensitive techniques were combined with products that also kept green principles in mind.
- Infill site location;
- The project density is 5 times higher than the surrounding neighborhood;
- Creating a pedestrian scale on an existing auto oriented suburban arterial with street parking and retail at the street;
- Project is 300 yards from lightrail station;
- Project provides a mix of uses and provides shared parking with neighbors;
- Building orientation maximizes the opportunity for natural daylighting;
- High thermal mass interiors with night ventilation cooling; No mechanical cooling in most units.
- Operable windows and shades;
- Exterior window solar shade devices;
- Low-e dual pane glazed windows;
- Energy efficient design - to exceed California's Title 24 requirements;
- 100 Kilowatt integrated photovoltaics;
- Childcare building Roof design allows for rainwater collection to be used to irrigate the drought tolerant landscaping;
- On-site storm water retention with the integration of pervious pavement for internal drive lanes;
- Insulation of recycled content and formaldehyde free;
- Natural Linoleum flooring;
- Carpet is recycled content and CRI green labeled for indoor air quality;
- Paint will be low- to no-V.O.C.;
- Energy Star appliances throughout;
- Reinforcing bars 90% recycled steel;
- High fly ash content in concrete; and
- Construction/demolition waste programs.