Marketplace Housing Density Study — Emeryville
The City of Emeryville requested a conceptual level density study to evaluate how a 190-unit, 5-story infill housing block proposed on a small corner infill site (53,000SF) could be reconfigured to address City concerns with a developer’s initial design. The scope of the study was limited in that it had to retain the basic building type of wood frame construction encircling a central courtyard over a concrete podium and achieve similar density to the proposed densely packed rectangular building volume. The study identified a number of refinements that were later incorporated or served as catalysts for design changes by the project architects, The Steinberg Group. The density study (by Arnold Mammarella and Alexandra Martynetz) achieved a similar number of units and a greater total number of bedrooms while addressing several design issues. Some notable results of the study include:
• As shown on the study’s building sections, a concrete podium parking structure can be configured to allow two-story townhomes with Type III construction by increasing the vertical profile of the podium around the building’s perimeter. This allows for a better street experience and more stylish living units.
• As shown on the study’s building sections and 4TH level plan, the upper floor of the structure can be altered from the lower floors relative to unit type and massing with attention to solar orientation to improve solar access to the interior courtyard. Taller loft units are placed on the north and west sides of the building based on a shadow study. Adding a small roof deck and carving back the simple doughnut form improves the courtyard’s scale and openness so that it does not feel like a giant lightwell.
• As shown on the floor plans, a 15-foot module was used on 3 sides of the building to allow single-wide modules for townhomes, studios, and lofts, below, above, or interspersed with 30’ double-wide modules at 2 bedroom flats. This solved practical construction issues and aided in façade design, while permitting more flexible design options, diversity of unit types, and wider, more generous two-bedroom flats. Individual unit plans were also studied to make sure space and design targets could be met.
• As shown on the podium level plan and sections, the study also re-conceptualized and energized the interior courtyard by introducing private walled gardens and unit entries off the courtyard similar to traditional courtyard housing.
• As shown on the unit count summary, the blend of units meets various family size and lifestyle considerations as desired by the City.
As a design and feasibility tool, the study demonstrates basic building types can be refined substantially through careful manipulation of plan and section. Design studies such as this can be done for private or public sector clients prior to building design to better evaluate appropriate goals and opportunities for a site.
