Builder and Developer Community of the Year: Del Sur

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since we embarked on the redesign of an entitled site plan for Black Mountain Ranch, now known as Del Sur – winner of the Builder and Developer’s Community of the Year! 

WHA was asked by Standard Pacific to assist them in revisiting this entitled planned community with a focus on product segmentation and absorption, neighborhood crafting and overall livability back in 2009. We joined a great team of consultants including Vita design, landscape architects from Marin County and Rick Engineering as the civil engineers who together with the savvy development team partnership of Standard Pacific Homes and Black Mountain Ranch LLC were able to create a wonderful highly respected community.  Improved neighborhood crafting, site design and variety in housing types were the objectives.  To achieve the objectives, we established design parameters such as:

• Create a town arrival sequence
• Provide a builder driven solution with logical phasing of build out and mix of product types (traditional and conventional homes)
• Incorporate focal open spaces/parks at the entry from major streets
• Respect the edges and ensure the perimeter conditions are attractive
• Showcase architecture by strategically locating products along the main spine road
• Integrate walking trails throughout the neighborhood to connect the distinctive parks to the natural open space
• Consider building materials reflective of the local context
• To the extent feasible, incorporate sustainable environmentally responsible features into the design

Once the groundwork was set, and the parcels identified with a variety of 6 different housing types, the builders and their architects went to work to bring the community to life.  By following these goals, the sense of community and quality design is present today, contributing to the well-deserved Community of the Year Award! 

Congratulations to all the teams and builders involved, Del Sur is truly an exceptional community!