Plaza del Sol Family Housing
480 Valencia Street, San Francisco, California
This 59-unit housing project consists of three and four levels of housing and landscaped courtyards over underground parking. The design focus for this residential complex was to create a fully-functioning environment for the development of family and community. An innovative collaboration between two non-profit groups, Centro Del Pueblo and Mission Housing Development Corporation, the project has helped to revitalize a fragile block in the Mission District of San Francisco.
A sequence of outdoor courts contains a variety of children’s play areas. Facilities include a day care center with adjacent outdoor play and recreation areas, which were designed for the needs of older children and teens. The images of the Serpent, the Jaguar, the Flower, and the Hummingbird thematically distinguish the design of the courts. Outdoor gathering areas are provided to encourage community spirit and living, and are enhanced by the presence of colorful paving and fragrant and colorful vegetation.