Project Details
Project Description
Situated on a prominent site facing a large park along downtown Sacramento’s major corridor, 16 Powerhouse is designed to be a catalyst infill development that will continue the revitalization of the city’s urban core. Previously the site of a 1960’s neglected motel, viewed as an eyesore, the developer and architect saw the project as an opportunity to rejuvenate the area; the challenge involved how to maximize the site’s potential. Working with the local economic agency, the team responded to market demands for new urban apartments and designed a 6-story project featuring 50 residential units and 7,500 s.f. of ground floor retail and restaurant space to complement the vibrant street life attractive to the neighbors. Unique project amenities include: • an open interior courtyard with lounge areas, BBQ and fire trough • a bicycle repair shop to encourage downtown living • areas for gardening and dog washing The site could only accommodate 26 of the 50 parking spaces required by city ordinances. The design solution responded by creating a parking strategy that allowed 50 spaces through the use of mechanical parking, stacking vehicles two-high, and a state-of-the-art semi-automated “lift and slide” system. Employing the firm’s best sustainable practices, the architect was capable of achieving LEED Platinum certification, unprecedented for new apartment construction in the region and making 16 Powerhouse Sacramento’s most sustainable residential development. The design responds to the neighborhood’s context with both traditional and contemporary materials. Construction innovation includes six-stories of Type III wood frame over Type I podium, making the design extremely cost-efficient.
