At Monroe Commons in Santa Clara, California, inclusive design shapes a residential landscape grounded in access, dignity and everyday connection to the outdoors. The 2.5-acre affordable housing development provides 65 units for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of area median income, with 25 percent of residences reserved for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Designed by HKIT Architects with landscape architecture by PGAdesign, the project transforms an underutilized parcel adjacent to a busy parkway into a cohesive environment organized around outdoor life. More than 32,000 square feet of open space supports a wide range of daily activities, including play, exercise, gardening and social gathering, all connected through a network of courtyards and accessible pathways.
Accessibility is embedded in the landscape design. The relatively flat property allowed the design team to establish continuous, barrier-free circulation throughout the landscape. By elevating the site and parking areas—also to accommodate permeable paving and stormwater management—the team created a gracious entryway without ramps and ensured that the building and outdoor amenities share the same accessible grade…