Sanjay Gangal Sanjay Gangal is the President of IBSystems, the parent company of AECCafe.com, MCADCafe, EDACafe.Com, GISCafe.Com, and ShareCG.Com.
La Valentina Station in Sacramento, California by David Baker + Partners Architects
January 18th, 2013 by Sanjay Gangal
Article source: David Baker + Partners Architects
For more than two decades, a high-crime light-rail station stopping at a toxic empty lot; now, a sustainable affordable family housing development and new gateway to downtown.
La Valentina Station brings 63-units of affordable rental housing for families to a previously desolate city site. The development bolsters the local sewer, electrical and storm-water infrastructure and brings compact, transit-oriented homes to the neglected area.
The entry plaza in the evening. Image: Bruce Damonte
A view of the entry from the mid-block courtyard (which doubles as the utility easement). Image: Bruce Damonte
Facing the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light-rail platform, the building takes a strong stand along the rail line, balancing security and porosity by putting eyes on the street with private balconies, an outdoor lobby and stair tower, and glassed bridge ways that create transparency at all levels and on all sides of the site.
The mailboxes are housed in a custom cabinet. Image: Bruce Damonte
A long span of glass, masked with a “bar-code” mural spelling “La Valentina”, illuminates the sidewalk at night with a mellow glow while ensuring privacy for the community room inside. In response to neighborhood concerns, the high-density housing tops new service and retail spaces, one set to house a café at the entry courtyard.
The utility easement in the rear yard doubles as a play area with the addition of seating and a “ladybug” soft-fall surface by Fletcher Studio. Image: Bruce Damonte
In conjunction with La Valentina North, a net-zero family housing development designed by YHLA Architects, this David Baker + Partners project creates a gateway into the downtown area.
The easement in the rear yard doubles as a play area by adding seating and paving it with “ladybug” soft-fall surface by Fletcher Studio. Image: Bruce Damonte
Southern elevation of La Valentina Station showing the tucked-under parking. Image: Bruce Damonte
Southern elevation of La Valentina Station. Image: Bruce Damonte
Interior of a one-bedroom La Valentina apartment with open kitchen and private deck. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station from across 12th Street. Image: Bruce Damonte
Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the north across 12th Street at southern part of building. Image: Bruce Damonte
View of the entry plaza at La Valentina Station. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station in context, adjacent to the sister La Valentina North development by YHLA Architects. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station in context, adjacent to the sister La Valentina North development by YHLA Architects. Image: Bruce Damonte
The green stair and lobby at La Valentina is open to the air. Image: Bruce Damonte
The green stair and lobby at La Valentina is open to the air. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the train platform. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the train platform of the community space with the “La Valentina” barcode mural along on the glass wall. Image: Bruce Damonte
Construction is complete as of July 2012.
A detail sketch of the cafe and central gap, responding to the utility easement of the former alley.
The section perspective illustrates the sun-shading strategies of the west facing elevation.
The ground level facing the Light Rail station will be activated with commercial spaces and a cafe.
View from 12th Street sketch by Kevin Markarian.
West elevation sketch by Kevin Markarian.
Aerial sketch by Kevin Markarian.
South elevation rendering.
North elevation rendering.
West elevation rendering.
Photo montage view of rear, east, elevation from E Street.
The southwest perspective after incorporating design review comments.
Southwest street level perspective computer rendering.
Northwest street level perspective computer rendering.
The Bar Code Mural on the glass walls of the Community Room.
The waterjet cut corten fence.
The RTA light rail stop is an active place.
Streetscape detail.
12th Street elevation detail from below.
Private balconies overlook 12th street.
Construction is complete as of July 2012.
Image: Mike Graff
View from the train platform of the community space with the “La Valentina” barcode mural along on the glass wall. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the train platform. Image: Bruce Damonte
The green stair and lobby at La Valentina is open to the air. Image: Bruce Damonte
The green stair and lobby at La Valentina is open to the air. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the Alkali Flat/La Valentina Station train platform. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station in context, adjacent to the sister La Valentina North development by YHLA Architects. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station in context, adjacent to the sister La Valentina North development by YHLA Architects. Image: Bruce Damonte
View of the entry plaza at La Valentina Station. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the north across 12th Street at southern part of building. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the north across 12th Street at southern part of building. Image: Bruce Damonte
View from the north across 12th Street at southern part of building. Image: Bruce Damonte
Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina Station from across 12th Street. Image: Bruce Damonte
Inside the green open-air stair. Image: Bruce Damonte
Interior of a one-bedroom La Valentina apartment with open kitchen and private deck. Image: Bruce Damonte
Southern elevation of La Valentina Station. Image: Bruce Damonte
Southern elevation of La Valentina Station showing the tucked-under parking. Image: Bruce Damonte
The easement in the rear yard doubles as a play area by adding seating and paving it with “ladybug” soft-fall surface by Fletcher Studio. Image: Bruce Damonte
The easement in the rear yard doubles as a play area by adding seating and paving it with “ladybug” soft-fall surface by Fletcher Studio. Image: Bruce Damonte
The utility easement in the rear yard doubles as a play area with the addition of seating and a “ladybug” soft-fall surface by Fletcher Studio. Image: Bruce Damonte
The mailboxes are housed in a custom cabinet. Image: Bruce Damonte
A view of the entry from the mid-block courtyard (which doubles as the utility easement). Image: Bruce Damonte
The entry plaza in the evening. Image: Bruce Damonte
La Valentina entry plaza in the evening. Image: Bruce Damonte
Rainscreen detail. Image: Bruce Damonte
Detail of the stair screen. Image: Bruce Damonte
Rainscreen detail. Image: Bruce Damonte
The common room’s translucent window mural allows light yet provides privacy from the street. Image: Bruce Damonte
Common room interior with “barcode” mural (spelling “La Valentina”). Image: Bruce Damonte
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