In response to an ambitious RFP issued by the City of San Jose, Eden Housing proposed a services- and amenity-enriched new home for low-income and very-low-income transitional age youth, families, and seniors. Mesa Terrace is situated at the corner of Gallup & Mesa drives in the Almaden neighborhood, where a commercial district transitions to working-class neighborhoods. At five stories, the project will establish a gateway and landmark for the larger community. The curving corner parcel will be celebrated with a faceted window pattern. The rhythm of full-height projecting bays creates a dialog in verticality with nearby redwood trees. Massing at the southwest corner steps back in deference to the single-family residences next door, creating an upper-level terrace for residents.

Meeting City and neighborhood needs, the ground floor includes a public community room that opens onto Mesa Drive. The second story includes resident amenities: terrace, multipurpose room, laundry facilities, and media library. The terrace incorporates sunny and shaded spaces, and includes an outdoor living room with a projection screen partition. Care has been taken to design a home for a wide range of residents, including transitional age youth (individuals aged 18-24 coming out of foster care), seniors, and foster families in a program working to reunite local family groups.

Sustainable features include infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and a rain garden for stormwater management. Rooftop solar will improve building energy performance and passive strategies include window shades.

Personnel

• Curtis Caton / PIC
• Gary Struthers / PA
• Ray Tam / PM
• Kevin Riley / JC

Personnel

• L&D / GC
• Van Dorn Abed / Landscape
• Luk & Associates / Civil
• DCI / Structural
• Litzenberger / Mechanical
• BWF / Electrical
• RGD / Acoustics
• DuctTesters / Sustainability