Creating High-Density Developments Through Sustainable Growth Strategies

Case Study 5.1

Creating High Density Developments Through

Sustainable Growth Strategies

“Development is moving back to the inner city because our freeways are congested, fuel costs have skyrocketed, environmental pollution is increasing and our forests are being paved with concrete to build new roads and subdivisions. All of these factors are contributing to an unsustainable growth model for our future.� R. Scott Ziegler, AIA

Living Place Studio

About Us ZCA Residential has emerged as one of the premier architectural firms responding to the current demand for urban residential living. The firm has earned a reputation for outstanding architectural and interior architecture projects, both locally and nationally; including recognition for its design of the Austonian, the tallest residential tower west of the Mississippi.

Our research-based design approach includes researching competitor projects, market trends, demographic data and migration patterns; CONTACT R. Scott Ziegler, AIA Principal-in-Charge of the Living Place Studio 713.374.0008 (phone) 713.374.1008 (fax) sziegler@zieglercooper.com

allowing us to deeply understand our client’s specific needs in their select market. This approach, coupled with contextual design that responds to the neighborhood and lifestyle, ensures the creation of an expressive architectural product unique to each clients site.

Has Sprawl Lost it’s Sizzle?

Today suburban sprawl does not have the same sizzle it once had and development is moving back to the inner city because our freeways are congested, fuel costs have skyrocketed, environmental pollution is increasing and our forests are being paved with concrete to build new roads and subdivisions. All of these factors are contributing to an unsustainable growth model for our future.

As an alternative to suburban sprawl, the natural evolution in the urbanization process of US cities is to create inviting urban village environments that provide a distinctive sense of place and are characterized by a strong residential base constructed at a garden district scale of six to seven stories. A critical mass of high density

“Sprawl expands our carbon footprint and increases greenhouse gases at exponential rates as compared to high density mixed-use developments. Ironically, sprawl also increases vehicle miles traveled (VMT), per household negating the perceived lower cost of housing which is the reason people moved to the suburbs in the first place.”

R. Scott Ziegler, AIA Principal-in-Charge of the Living Place Studio

housing will support development of office space and promote a healthy retail base which becomes the core of the micro village.

History has taught us that a city’s greatness is measured in large part by the quality of its art, architecture and urban environment, therefore, before us lays an enormous opportunity to meet this challenge. Let us reclaim the development direction of our cities and make a more richly designed urban fabric become the new sizzle!

National and International Density of People Per Acre

PARIS 91

HOUSTON 5.5

BOSTON 17.2 LOS ANGELES 9.7

NEW YORK 30

CHICAGO ROME 21 39 SAN FRANCISCO 23.5

The Sovereign The Sovereign is a 290-unit luxury apartment tower consisting of 21-stories featuring panoramic views of the downtown Houston skyline, Buffalo Bayou, Memorial Park, River Oaks, and the Galleria.

The building will be Houston’s most advanced high-rise residential product and is seeking to achieve LEED Sliver Certification.

The Sovereign will offer the most extensive residential amenity program in Houston including an 8th floor, 30,000 s.f. amenity deck with sweeping views from the building’s pool. Other features will include: a jacuzzi, fountains, outdoor fireplaces, numerous cabanas and lounge areas, outdoor fitness areas, private resident vegetable and herb gardens and extensive landscaping. Residents will also enjoy the private use of a state-of-the-art fitness club, library and cyber lounge, business center, club lounge, demonstration kitchen, private catering kitchen, private dining room, private theater room, as well as a sophisticated bar and gaming area. The building will also include pet spa areas such as a dog wash/dry facilities, pet grooming room, and a private and secure pet-friendly park featuring THIS PAGE The Sovereign Houston, Texas Client: The General Investment & Development Companies

fountains, exercise areas, benches and landscaping. Resident services will include 24 hour concierge, 24 hour valet parking, and on-site management, leasing and maintenance teams. The Sovereign is estimated to complete Fall 2014.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

21-Story High-Rise Tower and Seven

HR-170

Story Wrap - Concrete Flat Plate Slab Total Site Area

1.73 Acres

Density

168 Units/Acre

Total Units

290 Units

Construction Cost

$195-$215/RSF

“In essence, the micro village is a high density mixed use development that takes the form of an urban community where people prefer to walk in attractive pedestrian environments appointed with outdoor cafés, park space, public plazas and tree lined promenades.”

R. Scott Ziegler, AIA Principal-in-Charge of the Living Place Studio

Gables Tanglewood Atlanta-based Gables Residential recently hired Ziegler Cooper Architects to create an upscale mixed-use development located in the prestigious Tanglewood area, just west of Houston’s Galleria.

The eight-story, 316 unit, concrete frame building will include a spectacular rooftop pool terrace, club room and outdoor living with views of the Galleria and Uptown. Other amenities include: lounge, dining room, theater, fitness, outdoor kitchen and living room. A courtyard, the new home for an old oak tree that will be transplanted from the existing site, will also connect both retail and parking.

The design carefully integrates a detailed brick and masonry facade, acknowledging the soft pastel color palette of the surrounding Mediterranean heritage of Tanglewood. The project broke ground in November 2011 adding 301,801 s.f. of luxury apartment living THIS PAGE Gables Tanglewood Houston, Texas Client: Gables Residential

and 12,000 s.f. of boutique retail to activate the street scene of this upscale urban development. The estimated completion date is May 2013.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

Eight-Story Mid-Rise Concrete Frame

MR-105 Mixed-Use

Building and Garage Total Site Area

3 Acres

Density

105 Units/Acre,12,000 s.f. Retail

Total Units

316 Units

Construction Cost

$140-$150/RSF

Gables Memorial Hills An Urban Oasis, Memorial Hills is conveniently located just steps from downtown Houston. Lush green foliage makes the apartments off Memorial Drive a prime location for people wanting to get away from the concrete world that is typical of Houston. Here residents will get both a beautiful peaceful atmosphere in a happening booming city.

Perched atop a hill, the brick and cast stone complex responds to the slight jog in Memorial Drive. Residents can grasp a stunning view of Buffalo Bayou Park with a powerful panorama of the downtown Houston skyline. With three other parks nearby, residents can live an urban lifestyle while maintaining a strong connection with the outdoors.

At eight-stories, Memorial Hills includes a luxurious pool, a stateof-the-art outdoor kitchen and a lush garden area. To the north of THIS PAGE Gables Memorial Hills Houston, Texas Client: Gables Residential

the site, a parking garage connects to the main structure allowing residents to park within proximity.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

Eight-Story Mid-Rise Concrete Frame

MR-115

Building and Garage Total Site Area

2.7 Acres

Density

115 Units/Acre

Total Units

308 Units

Construction Cost

$130-$140/RSF

Gables Park Plaza Tower On the fringes of downtown Austin, directly east of Lamar Boulevard and north of Town Lake, rises Park Plaza Tower; a two phase mixeduse destination development which broke ground in December 2011.

The context of the site helps shape the identity of the development.

Carrying pedestrians and bikers alike, the Pfluger Bridge Extension soars northward over Town Lake, Cesar Chavez and a two-acre public park finally landing at the doorstep of a pedestrian plaza.

The plaza is defined by a rich mixed-use program incorporating residential, restaurant and retail uses to enhance the district as a walkable destination. To further activate the ground plane, restaurants spill out onto the public plaza with outdoor dining and THIS PAGE Gables Park Plaza Tower Austin, Texas Client: Gables Residential

dramatic views overlooking the park and Town Lake beyond.

From afar, the podium is highlighted by a residential tower which establishes a complex dialogue involving phase one, Town Lake, the city park, and the Capitol View Corridor. With a subtle, calculated curve on the southeast faรงade, the principle views of the lake fronted park and the Capitol are preserved. A third floor amenity deck over looks an urban plaza, Lady Bird Lake and the hike and bike trail.

Integrated with the deck are stellar amenities including: an infinity edge pool, lush native landscaping, wine bar, club room, sun deck and theatre becoming a true treasure for the project. The estimated completion date is June 2013.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

18-Story High-Rise Concrete Frame

HR-110 Mixed-Use

Building and Garage Total Site Area

1.87 Acres

Density

110 Units/Acre,14,000 s.f. Retail

Total Units

206 Units

Construction Cost

$215-$230/RSF

THIS PAGE Gables Park Plaza Tower Austin, Texas Client: Gables Residential

Living Place Studio Gables Park Plaza Located just east of Lamar, Park Plaza overlooks a 2-acre park, Town Lake and the Seaholm Power Plant redevelopment project. The mid-rise building is fan-shaped, sited to maximize tenants´ scenic views and to preserve the Capitol view corridor for surrounding buildings. Careful planning achieved a balcony for every apartment.

Interior residential units surround an open-air courtyard, with a plaza and central water feature. Unique to new Austin apartment developments, Park Plaza offers live/work units on the lower two levels of the eastern elevation fronting the active pedestrian street scene.

The southern elevation has a two-story base of glass and aluminum with tile accents to draw visitors to restaurant, retail and office spaces. On the upper floors of this southern facade, deep balconies are flanked on one side by an upwardly sloping all-glass corner that THIS PAGE Gables Park Plaza Austin, Texas Client: Gables Residential

becomes a beacon at night viewed from Lamar Bridge.

The rooftop terrace has a pool, gathering spaces and gracious terraces for the top-level apartments. Residents and their guests can view Town Lake. At street level, outdoor dining and deep sidewalks with pavers encourage an urban street scene. Plans to extend the Pfluger bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide even easier access to the south side of Town Lake and downtown Austin´s bicycle path system.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

Eight-Story Mid-Rise Tower Concrete Frame

MR-120 Mixed-Use

Building and Garage Total Site Area

2.5 Acres

Density

120 Units/Acre, 7,500 s.f. Retail

Total Units

301 Units

Construction Cost

$130-$140/RSF

THIS PAGE Gables West Ave Phase II Houston, Texas Client: Gables Residential

Gables West Ave Phase II The second phase of the West Ave development in River Oaks is a 288,389 s.f. mid-rise apartment project with 305 housing units. The eight-story, concrete structure with attached garage will have 640 parking spaces, 157 of which will be for retail use from Phase 1.

The project finish will consist of mostly brick with accents of Arriscraft and terra-cotta. The design will feature an interior courtyard with swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and living room, lounge, theater, fitness center, dining/wine room and is estimated to complete June 2013.

BUILDING AREA SYNOPSIS

PRODUCT TYPE

Eight-Story Mid-Rise Concrete Frame

MR-138

Building and Garage Total Site Area

2.2 Acres

Density

138 Units/Acre

Total Units

305 Units

Construction Cost

$135-$145/RSF

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Ziegler Cooper Architects 600 Travis Street Suite 1200 Houston, Texas 77002 (p) 713.374.0000 (f) 713.374.0001 www.zieglercooper.com