Program: Situated on a 4.5-acre plot, the 85,000-square-foot 57-unit affordable housing complex was commissioned by the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, a nonprofit, low-income housing developer in southern California. The apartments range from one to four bedrooms (667 to 1,400 square feet) and offer a host of amenities, including a pool, basketball court, bike racks, 130 parking spaces, courtyards, and a 3,000-square-foot community center.

Design concept and solution: Built on the site of a vacant apartment building in the Palm Springs desert, the complex is certified as LEED Gold and minimizes energy consumption through building orientation, passive-solar design, and recycled materials. The low-slung one- and two-story units are insulated with recycled newspaper and have double-pane windows, fluorescent lighting, and dual-flush toilets. During construction, more than 80 percent of waste was recycled, and the complex is positioned to optimize wind ventilation and daylight.