In October 2007 the Witch Creek Fire swept through the canyons of San Diego County east destroying many buildings on it way west. The transitional housing surrounding the San Pasqual Academy, a housing and educational campus for foster children operated by the San Diego County of Education did not have a chance facing the dry shrubs adjacent to the buildings.
The reconstruction meant more than just a place to live for the transitioning young adults who are out of the system at age 18. Building a sense of community became an important objective for this project inhabited by youths without family support.
Exposed natural materials providing comfort. Heavy timber construction for the strength. Simplicity of the layout to reduce stress. Touch of color to develop cheerful environment. And surrounding courtyard for the sense of neighborhood.
Kotaro served as the principal architect for the Design-Build project of a new administration building and 30 new residential units at the San Pasqual Academy. Located in a rural area of North San Diego County, the project consists of 17 new housing structures that replace buildings lost in the Witch Creek Fire in 2007. As part of this re-build project, a new 7,000 SF Administration Center is provided to replace the one lost in the fire. Due to the remote location design considerations included drought-tolerant landscaping, brush management zones, enhanced flood control measures and improved access for fire equipment. The project provides new housing for the school staff, alumnus and foster care families and includes outdoor community gathering spaces, shade structures, infrastructure improvements, landscaping and new view overlooks.
The 30 housing units are LEED Platinum Certified, and the Academy is one of only five LEED for Homes Platinum certification projects in the County of San Diego.
The Administration Center is designed for LEED Silver Certification.