Representing the most significant design challenge for AVA was the existing pedestrian bridge connecting the Public Market retail district to the Emeryville Amtrak station, as it lay roughly at the midpoint of AVA's original single-structure site plan.

“Instead of minimizing its presence, the design team decided to embrace it. We split the planned-for single structure into two, and extended and enhanced the elevated walkway through the heart of the community, creating a focal element that connects the Public Market to the rest of the city,” says Cox.

Bridgewalk will combine hardscaping, distinctive and drought-tolerant landscaping, seating areas and architectural lighting to create an activated urban parkway for the whole community. As Bridgewalk approaches the market, it descends into a grand staircase and retail plaza. TCA incorporated variations in height, materials, window patterning and base details, breaking the community down into smaller distinctive structures more reflective of a traditional main street that has been built over time within a pedestrian environment.

With the goal of creating a lasting multi-generational community, TCA has designed both apartment complexes to be family friendly. Much more than just adding three-bedroom apartments and child-friendly amenities into the mix, a family-friendly community requires the homes to be strategically placed near one another, as well as near child-centric amenities. Furthermore, these family apartments also provide views of these amenities, affording parents the ability to keep an eye on their children while at play.

“As our major cities continue to contract and urbanize around their city centers, family-friendly communities are the next trend in multifamily design and represent a critical path if we are to retain these growing urban families,” Cox added.

EMERYVILLE, CA—Located on the northern and southern ends of the historic Public Market Emeryville redevelopment project respectively, the communities of Avalon and AVA will introduce a combined 389 family-friendly apartment homes to the mixed-use development. The Oakland studio of TCA Architects is providing design services for Avalon Bay Communities' apartment communities, the residential components within the Public Market project, according to Thomas Cox, CEO of TCA Architects.

“The creation of a new community within the city of Emeryville, featuring the Public Market, is a big deal,” Cox tells GlobeSt.com. “Parcel A involves the old Hyatt parking lot which is now a public walkway to the Public Market and the park, parcel D is the Avalon Bay multifamily project under construction where the movie theater used to be, and parcel C is the wraparound project across from the former theater.”

Avalon broke ground in third quarter 2016 and AVA is now scheduled to break ground in third quarter 2017, with completion in 2020. Anchoring the southern end of the Public Market and directly across the tracks from the Emeryville Amtrak station, AVA features 167 contemporary apartments within two buildings bifurcated by the Bridgewalk. Located on the opposite end of the Public Market, Avalon features an additional 222 apartment homes on the northern edge of the development creating a seamless connection to Christie Park and adjacent residential communities.

“Avalon and AVA create distinct gateways at each end of this new center for Emeryville,” said Bob Collins, TCA's senior designer on the project.

Representing the most significant design challenge for AVA was the existing pedestrian bridge connecting the Public Market retail district to the Emeryville Amtrak station, as it lay roughly at the midpoint of AVA's original single-structure site plan.

“Instead of minimizing its presence, the design team decided to embrace it. We split the planned-for single structure into two, and extended and enhanced the elevated walkway through the heart of the community, creating a focal element that connects the Public Market to the rest of the city,” says Cox.

Bridgewalk will combine hardscaping, distinctive and drought-tolerant landscaping, seating areas and architectural lighting to create an activated urban parkway for the whole community. As Bridgewalk approaches the market, it descends into a grand staircase and retail plaza. TCA incorporated variations in height, materials, window patterning and base details, breaking the community down into smaller distinctive structures more reflective of a traditional main street that has been built over time within a pedestrian environment.

With the goal of creating a lasting multi-generational community, TCA has designed both apartment complexes to be family friendly. Much more than just adding three-bedroom apartments and child-friendly amenities into the mix, a family-friendly community requires the homes to be strategically placed near one another, as well as near child-centric amenities. Furthermore, these family apartments also provide views of these amenities, affording parents the ability to keep an eye on their children while at play.

“As our major cities continue to contract and urbanize around their city centers, family-friendly communities are the next trend in multifamily design and represent a critical path if we are to retain these growing urban families,” Cox added.