Occupying what was an abandoned farm, Gran Vista is a re-envisioning of what the traditional middle class sub-urban development has been in the last three decades. Contemporary in both aesthetics and ethics, this housing development embraces the surrounding environment (river, floodplain, forest) through thoughtful building placement, grading and storm water management.

Master Planning

Planning for this community focused on minimal grading for road and building layout, and little to no impact on the site’s various watersheds. All of the sites naturally occurring streams and swales were kept intact and dense vegetation was planted around them in order  to minimize erosion or sedimentation. Site selection for key buildings was chosen to maximize the best views and proximity to the surrounding nature.

Architecture

Communal facilities for Gran Vista are located in a topographically prominent spot, overlooking the Mucarabones River. The buildings terraces’ roofs open toward this view and also serve as wind deflection devices that collect breezes and cool the building interiors.

Sustainably sourced materials, such as reclaimed wood, metals with high recycled content, and locally sourced stones, were used in the construction of the buildings.