Agrihood – Santa Clara Sustainable Master Plan
OpenScope collaborated with the Core Companies to develop initial design ideas for a six-acre city-owned site in Santa Clara. The unique “agrihood” concept for farm-based housing, developed in conjunction with local community members, won over the City Council, who decided to award the project to Core following a very competitive RFP process in 2015. The concept merges contemporary urban living, affordability and the farming culture of Santa Clara’s past.
OpenScope prepared the first entitlements submittal for The Core Companies in December of 2016 with a concept focused on creating a more livable community through multi-modal transportation options and pedestrian-oriented design. Plans for the site included a mixture of affordable and market-rate housing as well as a professionally-managed farm with open space available for community use. The farm was designed to provide healthy nourishment, educational experiences and outdoor activities for residences and the community. A portion of the large apartment building will be rented at below market rate as workforce housing while 165 units will be reserved as permanently affordable senior housing.