Project Description
2009 RADA
Affordable / Merit
Detlev Peikert, AIA, squeezed a long list of “must-haves” onto a tiny piece of land. The building masks a four-story parking garage, offers housing for low- to very low-income workers, and establishes a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare in downtown Santa Barbara, Calif.
Our judges felt his design achieved all the required goals and more: “It takes care of the garage, creates public and private outdoor space, respects local style, and looks like a pleasant place to live. What’s not to like?”
Peikert implemented a sustainable strategy too. The south-facing units have high ceilings and balconies to usher in light. A bicycle station with maintenance equipment and showers encourages cheap eco-conscious transportation while creating a courtyard. “The way all of these elements come together,” Peikert says, “makes it a great place to live.”