Pixelated Pueblo

Pixelated Pueblo is a theoretical proposal designed to create high density housing while creating a uniquely Santa Fe approach to mixed use development. It utilizes modular housing technologies to quickly build and deploy cost effective units and can be adapted to a variety of sites. The development of a multi-family modular housing industry in Santa Fe will modernize the workforce bring 21st century technologies in the construction industry. Such a system will control costs and integrate cost effective sustainable design technologies to save energy, water & material resources. The proposal features podium style construction with ground floor retail and parking garages with stepped & staggered modular housing units stacked above. The site is organized around public and resident courtyards, with every unit having access to green space in the form a roof deck on the unit below. Big boxes are preserved and renovated to become modern office or retail spaces. Pedestrian access is prioritized, and all parking is screened and placed internal parking garage.

Santa Fe is in the midst of an acute housing crisis.  High construction costs combined with rampant NIMBYism have resulted in few new housing developments being constructed in the past 10 years.  This combined with recent economic and population growth has led to escalating rents and a shortage of available housing units. Santa Fe needs quality affordable housing built quickly. This is a proposal to re-develop Big Box shopping centers into mixed use projects that enhance a pedestrian oriented streetscape, provide access to public spaces, commercial development and workforce housing. 

Pixelated Pueblo was awarded a 2019 AIA Santa Fe Innovation award. 

Jury Comments:

“Pixelated Pueblo is a vision not only for a future of Santa Fe but more importantly the post retail landscape of big box retailers across America and how to reimagine a more dense, equitable and diverse city where once car culture, parking requirements and single use zoning ruled. By utilizing the creation of public policy’s new Midtown Local Innovation Corridor (LINC) Overlay District, Pixelated Pueblo re-imagines how retail, housing, public realm and recreation can all co-exist and feed off of one another.”

“This is a forward-thinking project that should certainly be tried and prototyped to see if it warrants replication across the USA.”