EMERYVILLE, CA – The Oakland studio of TCA Architects is bringing some New York flair into the design of Avalon Bay Communities’ AVALON and AVA Apartment communities, the residential components within the historic Public Market Emeryville redevelopment project, announced Thomas Cox, CEO of TCA Architects. Located on the northern and southern ends of the Public Market campus respectively, the branded communities of AVALON and AVA combined will introduce 389 ‘family friendly’ apartment homes to the landmark mixed-use development. AVALON broke ground in Q3 2016 and AVA is now scheduled to break ground in Q3 2017, with completion in 2020.
Anchoring the southern end of the Public Market and directly across the tracks from the Emeryville Amtrak Station, AVA features 167 contemporary apartments within two buildings bifurcated by the High Line Park-inspired ‘Bridgewalk’. Located on the opposite end of the Public Market, AVALON features an additional 222 modern apartment homes on the northern edge of the development creating a seamless connection to Christie Park and adjacent residential communities.
“It is extremely gratifying to see such a complex endeavor coming to fruition, one that I think successfully represents the aspirations of the varied stakeholders,” said Bob Collins, TCA’s Senior Designer on the project. “AVALON and AVA create distinct gateways at each end of this new center for Emeryville.”
Bridgewalk
Representing the most significant design challenge for AVA was the existing pedestrian bridge connecting the Public Market retail district to the Emeryville Amtrak station, as it lay roughly at the midpoint of AVA’s original single-structure site plan. According to Cox, “Instead of minimizing its presence, the design team decided to embrace it. We split the planned-for single structure into two; and extended and enhanced the elevated walkway through the heart of the community, creating a focal element that connects the Public Market to the rest of the City.” Taking cues from the High Line in New York City, Bridgewalk will combine high-design hardscaping, distinctive and drought tolerant landscaping, contemplative seating areas, and architectural lighting to create an activated urban parkway for the whole community. As Bridgewalk approaches the famous market, it descends into a grand staircase and retail plaza.
Further enhancing AVA’s dynamic pedestrian environment, TCA incorporated variations in height, materials, window patterning, and base details; breaking the community down into smaller distinctive structures more reflective of a traditional main street that has been built over time.
Family Friendly
With the goal of creating a lasting multi-generational community, TCA has designed both apartment complexes to be ‘family friendly.’ Much more than just adding 3-Bed apartments and child friendly amenities into the mix, a family-friendly community requires the 3-Bed homes to be strategically placed near one another, as well as near child-centric amenities. Further, these family apartments also provide views of these amenities affording parents the ability to keep an eye on their children while at play.
According to Cox, “The design offers the opportunity for families, young couples, singles and seniors to be located nearest their most highly-desired amenities, thereby creating the greatest harmony among residents.”
“As our major cities continue to contract and urbanize around their city centers, family-friendly communities are the next trend in multifamily design and represent a critical path if we are to retain these growing urban families,” Cox added.