Magdalena

Mission Viejo, CA

Magdalena is a “2000 Gold Nugget Award of Merit” winner developed by John Laing Homes.  It consists of 100 single-family, zero-lot line homes set in the hillsides of a planned community in Orange County.  The homes are unique in that pedestrian-friendly paseos wind past the front of all the homes, as the garages are located in the rear.  A private fenced yard is also located along the side of each home.  All homes have spacious front porches facing the luxuriantly landscaped paseos.  The paseos serve as gathering spaces to reinforce a sense of community.

The homes range from 1,490 to 1,835 square feet and offer three to four bedrooms, two and one-half baths and a two-car garage.  The exteriors were inspired by rich traditional cottage styles that compliment the region.

COBBLESTONE AT OAK CREEK

Irvine, CA

Client:

John Laing Homes

Gross Lot Area:

14.3 Acres

Net Lot Area:

10.4 Acres

Units:

167 Single-Family Homes

Gross Density:

11.7 du/ac

Net Density:

16 du/ac

This six-unit cluster blueprint is planned on a grassy area with each cluster designed within a compact footprint, precluding the need for fire department truck access and are accessed off a thirty-six foot wide loop street that provides parallel parking for guests on both sides.

There are 4 unit types ranging from a 1,600 sf 2-bedroom with loft design to a 2,000 sf 3-bedroom plan.  All units have an attached two-car garage.  Each home is also provided with a private yard/patio of 700 sf minimum, most being much larger.

The Architecture is inspired by cottages one might see in the French, Spanish and Italian countrysides.  Gentle curves in roof shapes and facades, along with shutters, window planter boxes, and thoughtful detailing enhance the warmth of the elevations.  Several color schemes are utilized to add variety and texture to the community.

CEDARBROOK – PERIDOT @NILES

Fremont, CA

Client:

Regis Homes of Northern CA

Lot Area:

3.81 Acres

Units:

27 Single Family Homes

Density:

7 du/ac

Cedarbrook is a 27-home infill development located in the Niles Historical District of  Fremont, California.  While maximizing the allowable density and conforming to the unique shape of the site, the project offers five different floor plans that range in size from 1,650 to 2,400 sf in variant architectural styles.  Rich and inviting landscaping enhances this financially viable development of distinctly styled homes making it an asset to the existing neighborhood.

Capri Courts

Playa Vista, CA

Client:

Lee Homes

Lot Area:

1.4 Acres

Units:

23 Townhouses

Unit Size:

1,700 sf to 2,700 sf

Density:

16 du/ac

This is a high density cluster housing project in a very upscale market. The homes are planned in three clusters, each organized around an enriched automobile court. Each floor plan in the community is designed with two different entry configurations. When a house is located within the interior of a cluster, its front door is positioned toward the auto court. Homes that are located on the street perimeter have been designed to place the front door adjacent to the public sidewalk. As a result, the small community embraces the neighborhood rather than turning its back.

The home designs are of two and a half and three stories, which help to achieve such a high density for individual houses. Each home is provided with a small private yard, in addition to a series of raised terraces.

The architectural character varies with context of a Mediterranean palette. One will find a mixture of thoughtfully detailed Spanish, Tuscan, and Italianate architecture.

CAPE ANN

Huntington Beach, CA

Client:

John Laing Homes

Lot Area:

10.4 Acres

Units:

146 Townhomes
2-story & 3-story Units

Unit Size:

1,300-1,830 sf 

Density:

14 du/ac

1999 Gold Nugget Grand Award
Best Affordable Project

The site organization incorporates popular ‘new urbanism’ textures in an attempt to provide an architecture of community.  The homes are arranged, typically, in clusters of six or eight dwellings that are accessed in two ways.  Resident (automobile) access is through attached garages which are rear-loaded, while guest and/or pedestrian access is either from a shared walk-street/common area or directly from a sidewalk connected to a community driveway.  Home entries are typically identified and enhanced through the use of front porches adjacent to these shared access routes.

The project entry incorporates a diagonal street focusing on the primary recreation space which serves as a focal point for the community.