Tassafaronga Village Repurposes A Defunct Pasta Factory Into Green Affordable Housing

Tassafaronga used to be a desperate <a href="http://inhabitat.com/graceful-durham-performing-arts-center-rehabilitates-historic-tobacco-district/">brownfield site</a> full of toxins, but a lot of TLC, the site is now home to Tassafaronga Village, an eco-affordable housing development in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/oakland-fire-station-honored-with-leed-gold-certification/">Oakland</a>. Completed in May 2010, the Gold Certified LEED ND neighborhood includes 157 residences all designed to LEED Home Standards. Master planned and designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stylish-h2hotel-features-an-undulating-green-roof-and-a-bevy-of-eco-amenities/">David Baker + Partners</a>, the impressive development includes the repurposing of an old pasta factory into part of the housing. Now colorful apartments provide housing for low to moderate income levels and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/solar-panels">solar panels</a> dot the property like trees.

After years of trying to redevelop the site into social housing, the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) finally got a boost from HUD and brought on David Baker to re-envision the site.

The new 7.5 acre neighborhood includes multiple housing types, surrounded by green pathways, pocket parks, and open spaces.

A defunct pasta factory on the north end of the site was retained and transformed into supportive apartments and a medical clinic.

A three-story apartment building features an undulating green roof and 22 townhouses built by Habitat for Humanity line the streets and serve as single family homes.

All of the residences enjoy a wide range of green strategies like solar power for on-site generation of electricity and hot water, hydronic heating, environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, energy efficient appliances and low flow fixtures.

Lobby for one of the apartment buildings.

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A parking garage is discreetly hidden underneath this park.

Most of the landscaping is drought tolerant and the vegetated roofs help infiltrate storm water.

Public transit is within a 1/4 mile walk of the neighborhood and also close to jobs and schools.

The new housing development is also expected to improve the local economy and add new retail and commercial spaces in the area.

Lots of open space encourage community gathering and time spent outdoors.

A children's playground next to the village.