Casa Azul

2024 Design Awards Citation Recipient

The site for Casa Azul was purchased by Housing Matters in 2010 because of its proximity to the organization’s Santa Cruz campus. Their vision was to transform the existing disused historic structure into permanent housing for locals experiencing long-term homeless. The complete renovation created 4,300 SF of living space co-located with other homeless services and support facilities expanding Housing Matters’ support in this critical location.

The original historically-listed Victorian house was built as a single story residence on an ~6-foot tall crawl space. To add additional habitable space the building was lifted at the outset of construction, the foundation was replaced, and 2 feet of height was added to the ground floor creating a total of seven units, including studios and one-bedrooms ranging from 314 to 709 square feet.

The project was committed to preservation and sustainability through the reuse of an existing historical structure which was retained with painstaking attention to detail. Custom siding was milled, historically significant leaded windows were rebuilt, and custom wood detailing was produced for much of the building’s exterior.

Rather than seeking state tax credits typical in affordable housing, the project utilized a creative capital stack for funding. Resources included fundraising efforts by building Owner and Operator, Housing Matters, the State’s HomeKey grant program and New Way Homes’ Impact Investment fund. Residents qualify for the State’s housing voucher program and receive additional subsidies from the Owner/Operator.

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A beautiful renovation and restoration of an important structure to add permanent housing for the previously homeless. The house was lifted to expand the square footage and increase the number of units. Extremely careful restoration of existing detailing, this seemed like a labor of love.

//framework for design excellence measures

Measure 1: Design for Integration

The project is by nature limited in scope. The historically listed building fully occupies its site with no room for additional development. An entire additional floor of residences was realized by lifting the structure; the historical nature of the building was preserved while the house was lifted and the original rubble foundation was upgraded. Additional careful construction detailing was requried to complete the project as almost all historical wood elements were rotted. Custom siding was milled, historically significant leaded windows were rebuilt, and custom wood detailing was produced for most of the building exterior. Minor additions to the building including the trash enclosure and the base of the building as it was lifted were designed in a way to distinguish the new construction from the original, without clashing, in a thoughtful manner.

Measure 2: Design for Equitable Communities

The project is occupied by long term homeless residents of Santa Cruz County and addresses social equity issues by nature of its existence. The project has sufficient auto parking for municipal requirements and has type-1 (enclosed, locked) and type-2 (exterior racks) bike parking beyond requirements.

Measure 3: Design for Ecosystems

The project is landscaped with native species. Landscaped yards on site offer a picnic bench for residents to enjoy the site. Carefully landscaping on the site helps distinguish the project from the adjacent industrial buildings.

Measure 4: Design for Water

Stormwater is managed on site via swales. Leakproof measures are installed on all interior plumbing fixtures to minimize accidental water waste by tenants not accustomed to living indoors.

Measure 5: Design for Economy

Rather than seeking state tax credits typical in affordable housing, the project utilized a creative capital stack for funding. Resources included fundraising efforts by building Owner and Operator, Housing Matters, the State’s HomeKey grant program and New Way Homes’ Impact Investment fund. Residents qualify for the State’s housing voucher program and receive additional subsidies from the Owner / Operator.

Measure 6: Design for Energy

The project is located in a listed Historical Building and complies with California Building Code requirements for renovations of historical buildings. The building is required to retain its original single glazed historical windows and energy modeling is not required. Any new systems including building insulation and HVAC equipment complies with current standards for high efficacy HVAC including mini-split heating and cooling and high-efficacy water heaters.

Measure 7: Design for Well-Being

All dwelling units comply with CBC requirements for natural ventilation and lighting. Window location were required to remain as existing due to the historical nature of the building.

Measure 8: Design for Resources

The project reuses an existing historical building in Santa Cruz, CA. The historical nature of the building limited the scope of renovation available to the project. The historical building was retained in its entirety and all historical detailing was maintained or repaired. The building was lifted several feet in the air and crawlspace walls were lengthened to capture an additional story of habitable space while still retaining all of the historical building.

Measure 9: Design for Change

The project directly addresses one of the most impactful issues presented to California today: homelessness. The project is permanent supportive housing for long-term homeless inhabitants of Santa Cruz. The project immediately takes (7) dwelling units of people experiencing homelessness and provides them with permanent housing and the resources needed to maintain said housing.

Measure 10: Design for Discovery

Working this project through the City of Santa Cruz was revelational. Although the project was required to, and does, comply with all current applicable building codes, the project was universally supported by the community from entitlement to completion. The proximity of the project to services needed by its inhabitants, and its nature as a 100% for ending homelessness housing project is probably the best direct application of housing to address homelessness.