David Baker’s Station Center Affordable Housing Development Transforms a Brownfield Site in Union City, CA

Sandwiched between rail lines in the East Bay town of Union City is a former brownfield site that is now home to an impressive new affordable housing development. <a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/148/Station%20Center.html" target="_blank">Station Center</a> was designed by <a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/" target="_blank">David Baker + Partners</a> and is a 157-unit apartment complex complete with resident garden plots, a playground, fitness center, community rooms and retail spots. Certified LEED Platinum for Mid-Rise Homes, the project features solar hot water, photovoltaics, a tight thermal envelope, energy-efficient systems and <a href="http://www.bayfriendlycoalition.org/" target="_blank">Bay Friendly Certified landscaping</a>.

<a href="http://www.dbarchitect.com/project_detail/148/Station%20Center.html" target="_blank">Station Center Affordable Housing</a> is part of the larger Union City Master Plan and revamping of the transit centers.

The site for the project is sandwiched between a freight line and a commuter line and beforehand was a under-utilized brownfield.

The redevelopment positions the community with easy access to transit and a new mixed-use housing and commercial area.

Two buildings 5-story buildings wrap around a central, protected courtyard.

Community rooms open up onto the courtyard and then connect to an outdoor pool and fitness center.

The courtyard doubles as a playground with playful gorilla statues and garden plots for residents.

The buildings were constructed to achieve a high level of energy efficiency and the entire project has earned a LEED Platinum certification.

Energy efficiency strategies include the use of operable windows, high efficiency lighting, energy star appliances, motion sensor for lighting in public areas, exterior sunshades, high performance insulation, and a high efficiency gas-powered boiler heats domestic hot water.

The rooftop is covered in solar hot water and photovoltaic panels that provide energy for the building.

Surrounding the project is sustainable landscaping that minimizes water use by 193,282 gallons of water per year and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/rainwater" target="_blank">rainwater</a> is captured for irrigation use.

The exterior features a mural by Mona Caron, who enlisted the help of residents to add a message of "Welcome" in their native language.

Building diagram featuring photovoltaic and solar systems.

Site considerations and location to transit.