This 1.3 acre site repurposes an underutilized lot along a major thoroughfare in the city of Vallejo, California, transforming the vacant area into a vibrant supportive affordable housing community. Blue Oak Landing consists of 75 units spread across two modular four-story buildings that serve families, couples, and individuals experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.
An existing stormwater easement through the center of the site with strict no-build requirements led to the decision to incorporate two distinct building volumes. Linked by open-air circulation, the building siting harnesses wind patterns to create natural ventilation. The breezeway frames views across the courtyard landscape towards Austin Creek beyond.
The central exterior community gathering space serves as an extension of the interior community room, for programmed events, social gatherings, and passive recreation. At the heart of the space is a large reclaimed timber community table situated under a unique vine cable structure.
The adjacent community garden space incorporates fruit trees, such as Citrus and Guava, alongside accessible garden beds, constructed from a combination of timber and CMU walls, where residents can grow their own herbs and vegetables. An additional community table allows residents to share meals among their ever-evolving gardens. Several additional seating nooks are incorporated throughout the landscape, offering space for quiet introspection or impromptu socialization.
The dedicated play area utilizes natural timber log play equipment and synthetic turf safety surfacing, allowing the space to blur the lines between site and the natural landscape surrounding the creek beyond. Durable Black Locust timbers are arranged throughout the play area to encourage intergenerational movement and informal imaginative play. A fenced dog run allows a safe space for residents to let their pets off leash. There are a number of outdoor “office spaces”, outfitted with seating and tables that are powered for convenience. These exterior amenities work in tandem with dedicated resident and service uses located throughout the ground floor of the building. Interior services, including a community room with a fully equipped kitchen, computer learning center, and laundry facilities.
Previous site use did not include stormwater management solutions, allowing harmful pollutants to runoff directly into the adjacent Creek. Bioretention areas located throughout the site capture and treat stormwater before releasing it to recharge the adjacent Austin Creek, which feeds down the watershed into the Napa River before it makes its way to the San Pablo Bay. An existing stand of established trees along Austin Creek were preserved, maintaining the site’s preexisting riparian character and bank stability. Native and climate-adapted plant species were selected to reduce long-term irrigation demand and support urban wildlife. The planting palette emphasizes drought-tolerant species and pollinator-supporting perennials, providing year-round texture and habitat value, adjacent to an important local wetland ecosystem. Seasonal blooms attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Planting design complies with and exceeds MWELO water-use standards.
Project Team / Collaborators:
Eden Housing
David Baker Architects, Architect
Fletcher Studio, Landscape Architect
Roberts-Obayashi Corporation, General Contractor
Factory_OS, Modular Manufacturer
Murphy Burr Curry, Structural Engineer
FARD Engineers, Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineer
Luk + Associates, Civil Engineer
BŌK Modern, Facade Panels
Arthur Landscape Irrigation Consulting, Irrigation Designer
SPEC Play, Play Equipment
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