Mixed Use Communities and Integrating Dynamic Landscape Architecture
Increasing the value of mixed-use and multifamily projects
Taking it Outside
We are seeing utilization rates rise dramatically for outdoor space. Natural play spaces for kids, more plant life of all types, bigger balconies, and mobile outdoor furniture (for versatile experiences) are all in vogue.
The design of outdoor amenities in multifamily projects is critical to the success and competitive advantage for multifamily developers. Outdoor spaces such as swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, lounge areas and game areas all add value by helping owner’s lease-up their properties. These outdoor places are shown during tours with prospective tenants, and they also help managers of these properties minimize tenant turnover. Providing places to work, play, celebrate, socialize, or find solitude are all important places to create for tenants of these communities. They are an integral component of the residents’ quality of life.
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Distinct Dwellings
There’s been a shift in interest from tightly packed urban living to less urban model. Large, individual units aren’t always possible in densely populated cities. But we are seeing increased interest in smaller urban markets on the urban fringes of major metros. These multifamily developments are starting to incorporate larger dwelling types which function more like single-family homes with some communal modifications. Residents can enjoy the benefits of condo living while having easy access to outdoor play areas for their children, pools, walking trails, retail stores and restaurants.
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“The trends are placing more importance on high quality outdoor environments with exceptional swimming pools, outdoor kitchens and dining, grilling and infrastructure for tenants who are still working from home by providing places to work with internet access for their laptops, phones and charging stations.”
Landscape and Urban Architects are now focusing a number of factors when designing outdoor spaces:
Bringing the outdoors inside using flexible door/wall systems that open completely out to our amenity spaces.
Strategically integrated indoor and outdoor spaces with opportunities for social interaction.
Connecting indoor social areas with outdoor spaces to encourage residents to move outside into the landscape.
The trends are placing more importance on high quality outdoor environments with exceptional swimming pools, outdoor kitchens and dining, grilling and infrastructure for tenants who are still working from home by providing places to work with internet access for their laptops, phones and charging stations.
Daylighting stairways encourages residents to use the stair to go outside promoting exercise and fitness.
Providing outdoor park and open spaces that can be utilized for exercise such as yoga or other group fitness classes.
Providing interior bike storage facilities, bike parking areas and bike repair rooms for the residents to promote alternative means of transportation and exercise.
Less parking needed and more car share/pick up zones needed.
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The uplifting potential of landscape architecture
The design for dynamic, open-air gathering spaces can be as important as the design for revenue-generating real estate products. Physical spaces that promote dwell time are increasingly appreciated by tenants and end users. Outdoor “rooms” where people pause to sit with a cup of coffee, watch their children play, respond to emails and texts or enjoy casual conversations are spaces where life, community, architecture and nature come together, allowing for meaningful experiences that encourage people to return to the property.
DPR Construction, Sacramento, California office
