• Credit: Paul Body Photography

Top Spot

Oh, what a difference a trellis can make. As the sole development in downtown San Diego serving residents earning up to 50% of median income, this 12-story building's nonprofit developer could have easily phoned in the design of this building. Instead, Father Joe’s Villages brought in Joseph Wong Design Associates to design a sleek, mixed-used project that serves residents’ needs with community outreach facilities, a courtyard recreational area, and a covered rooftop lounge. The roof deck looks more like a swanky club than affordable housing, and the whole project incorporates locally-sourced, recycled materials.

Project: 16th and Market, San Diego
Architect:: Joseph Wong Design Associates
Builder: Roel Construction
Developer: Father Joe’s Villages
Landscape architect: Garbini & Garbini Landscape Architecture

  • Credit: Robb Williamson

Prime Territory

The front elevation of this home is handsome with its Arizona territorial-style architecture, but the drama truly unfurls behind the house. Rather than grading the site as a flat pad, DTJ Design worked with builder Larry Jolly to engineer a house that absorbs grade with walls and steps, spilling down and spreading out over a desert ridge. A 27-foot span of window walls opens from the main living area to a glorious covered patio, outdoor kitchen, cascading pools, spa, fireplace, and fire ring.

Project: Cintarosa Ranch, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Architect/Land Planner/Landscape Architect: DTJ Design
Builder: Newman Jolly Builders
Developer: Desert Mountain Properties

  • Credit: Michael Seidl

Deck Spectacular

Borealis Apartments improves upon a site formerly occupied by a strip club, offering affordable and market-rate housing with the Seattle skyline as a backdrop. To take advantage of that perspective, Runberg Architecture Group designed a generous common deck at level two that offers a recreational area with views of the Space Needle. The entire perimeter of the building is articulated with slatted awnings, which add visual interest to facade, provide solar screening during the warm summer months, and mitigate street noise throughout the year. Lush landscaping also plays an important role in the exterior design.

Project: Borealis Apartments, Seattle
Builder: W.G. Clark Construction Co.
Developer: 714 Denny LLC (Vulcan Real Estate)
Architect: Runberg Architecture Group

  • Credit: Jim Bartsch

Garage Chic

The efficient plan of this 894-square-foot urban “crash pad” is predicated on multi-use spaces similar to those in small sea-going vessels. That includes an outdoor “car arbor” that doubles as an entertainment pavilion. The private parking is nice, but move the car to the street and you’ve got a great alfresco party spot with track lighting, stone pavers, a wood slat trellis, and a sculptural fence.

Project: Urban Crash Pad, Santa Barbara
Builder: Jack’n Toolbox
Architect: B3 Architects, a Berkus Design Studio
Land planner: Earthform Design


Got a clever detail you’d like to show off? Send photos, specs, and a brief project description to senior design editor Jenny Sullivan at jsullivan@hanleywood.com.