Tsutsumida Pictures
Project: Solaira at Pavilion ParkLocation: Irvine, Calif.Architect: KTGY Architecture + PlanningDevelopers: Related California, Five Point Communities, and Riverside Charitable Corp.
Master Plan
Solaira at Pavilion Park, the first affordable housing component in the Great Parks Neighborhoods master plan and the first new affordable senior housing in Irvine, Calif., in two decades, blends seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood.
“This affordable senior community weaves itself into the broader master-planned community and provides grandparents the opportunity to live near their family and their grandchildren,” says David Obitz, design principal at KTGY Architecture + Planning, the architect behind the development.
Inspired by connectivity with people and nature, the 221-unit project has access to Orange County’s largest park and trails and is rich with amenities and market-rate details within affordable parameters. Instead of creating one large structure, the apartments are split between three main residential buildings. The design elements are inspired by the eclectic American Heritage architectural ethos that is prevalent throughout the master plan and include board-and-batten siding, stone-base elements, earthy colors, and gabled ends. The ends of the three-story buildings have been lowered to two stories for a softened expression.
The site plan was organized to create common-area space between the buildings. The community’s amenity area was designed to have its own architectural identity to set it apart from the apartments.
Design on the interior was done with seniors in mind.
“Universal design principles allow residents to age in place gracefully and comfortably,” says Obitz. “None of the art that hangs in the public corridors of the apartment buildings is repeated, and each floor has its own color scheme, to help seniors find their way.”