Pacific Landing – Design for Energy

2023 DESIGN AWARD RECIPIENT

Pacific Landing – Design for Energy

Pacific Landing is a mixed-use, Net Zero, LEED Platinum, 100% affordable housing project designed for people living with disabilities and those on limited incomes. Located on Lincoln Boulevard in Santa Monica the building is within proximity to downtown Santa Monica and the beach. The project was developed by Community Corp of Santa Monica, a local non-profit developer. The 4-story, 42,000-square-foot building replaced a gas station that once occupied the 14,160-square-foot corner lot. Thirty-seven residences are provided for families in need.

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This project harnesses a very interesting reinterpretation of the prototypical figure of a gabled house to derive the form of the building. It is a great contribution to the cityscape, relates well to vernacular, and offers strong outdoor connections.

Noteworthy performance features include:

1. Net Zero and LEED Platinum

2. Built on existing gas station site

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Design for Integration

Pacific Landing is a Net Zero / LEED Platinum project. The building has met ambitious goals for water efficiency, healthy materials, air filtration and ventilation, and stormwater management. The design of the building and its systems achieve energy reduction far below typical buildings of this type. The project is all-electric, utilizing state-of-the-art central electric heat pump water heaters, high-efficiency electric spit system heat pump heating, and cooling, as well as all electric appliances. This resulted in the project not using any fossil fuels, such as natural gas. The project also reduces the amount of electricity it uses by using high-resistance insulation on the exterior envelope and high-performing windows to prevent thermal transfer. The project also uses a highly reflective CRRC-1 Certified roof to avoid the heat island effect. Even though the electricity the project will use will be limited, it will also be offset through onsite electricity generation from a solar photovoltaic system. The roof is equipped with a 40-kW solar photovoltaic system offsetting approximately 37% of the site’s electricity usage. All of these measures result in this property using approximately 44% less energy than an average similar code-compliant building.

Design for Equitable Communities

The buiiding was built on the site of a former gas station. The design team engaged the community with a charrette to foster good will and to integrate the needs / desires of the neighbors. The team presented initial ideas for the project, worked through ideas, listened to concerns and aspirations for the building.

Design for Ecosystems

The site (forme gas statiion) was remediated to accommodate the new building. A residential (R3) neighborhood abuts the site that consists of both single family and multifamily dwellings. The buiding offers new housing and social services for people in need on Lincoln Boulevard, a major thouroughfare in Santa Monica. Existing trees on the site were preserved and additional street trees were planted. The interior courtyard at the ground level provides a landscaped respite for the residents. Indeginous, drought tolerant vegetation is planted theoughout. Fruit trees and herb gardens are provided for the residents at the roof terrace.

Design for Water

Pacific Landing is a Net Zero / LEED Platinum project. The building has met ambitious goals for water efficiency, healthy materials, air filtration and ventilation, and stormwater management. The design of the building and its systems achieve energy reduction far below typical buildings of this type. Infiltration planters are provided to mitigate runoff into municipal sewers and to prevent runoff from entering the Santa Monica Bay, located 7 blocks away.

Design for Economy

Pacific Landing consists of 37 units of affordable housing. Units are provided for families, couples and single residents.

Design for Energy

The Net Zero / LEED Platinum building is all-electric, utilizing state-of-the-art central electric heat pump water heaters, high-efficiency electric spit system heat pump heating, and cooling, as well as all electric appliances. The project does not use any fossil fuels. The electricity for the project is offset through onsite electricity generation from a solar photovoltaic system. A 40-kW solar photovoltaic system offsets approximately 37% of the site’s electricity usage. The property uses approximately 44% less energy than an average similar code-compliant building.

Design for Well-Being

The volumes are separated by voids, each accentuated with greenspaces. An interior courtyard at the ground level provides a landscaped respite for the residents. All the units are accessed from the central courtyard which serves as shared space for the residents and includes a playground for children. Social services, a café, and other amenities are located at the ground level. Parking is provided below grade. Ample common spaces are located throughout the building and at the rooftop terrace that opens to the North, with views out to the Santa Monica Mountains and to the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Design for Resources

The building is situated on the site of a former gas station.The land was remediated to accommodate the new building. The buiding offers new housing and social services for people in need on Lincoln Boulevard, a major thouroughfare in Santa Monica. Building materials were choisen for their durability, sustainability and aesthetic quality.

Design for Change

The Net Zero / LEED Platinum building is all-electric, utilizing state-of-the-art central electric heat pump water heaters, high-efficiency electric spit system heat pump heating, and cooling, as well as all electric appliances. The project does not use any fossil fuels. The electricity for the project is offset through onsite electricity generation from a solar photovoltaic system. A 40-kW solar photovoltaic system offsets approximately 37% of the site’s electricity usage. The property uses approximately 44% less energy than an average similar code-compliant building.

Design for Discovery

The building is brand new, residents are still moving in. The not for profit developer is keen on post occupanvy evaluartions. The knowledge gained from each project helps with the success of future projects. We look forward to learning from this project.