Agrihood / This project, a sustainable urban farm community, occupies a 5.8-acre property that, while vacant since 2003, was one of the last remaining former agricultural sites in Santa Clara. A unique public-private partnership with the City of Santa Clara, the landscape design was inspired by a literal and metaphorical concept of “pollination”--in addition to supporting birds and insects, the landscape also strives to build connections between residents and neighbors.

The first phase, completed in 2023, includes 163 low-income senior apartments with a rooftop courtyard with raised vegetable beds, a community center and cafe, a workshop space, and a 0.2-acre organic farm that provides produce and bouquets to residents. Phase 1 also includes a walking trail, event plaza, bocce ball court, and outdoor dining. Phase 2 will add mixed-income apartments with a rooftop courtyard and Phase 3 will integrate townhomes for 198 additional dwellings, 361 in total.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Client: The Core Companies
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Dates: 2019-current
Size: 5.8 acres
Cost: $260M

General Contractor: CORE Builders
Architect: Steinberg Hart
Entitlement Landscape Architect: CMG
Civil Engineer: HMH Engineers
Farm Consultant: Farmscape
Muralist: Maxfield Bala Creative

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Event plaza.

Photography by Alain McLaughlin Photography Inc.

Outdoor play and gathering space.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Community building with mural celebrating Santa Clara’s agricultural roots.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Rooftop courtyard with raised planting beds and trellis shading shared dining areas.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Game tables alongside planting beds on rooftop courtyard.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

Farm coordinator displaying produce and flower offerings for residents.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.

View out over the rooftop courtyard and Santa Clara.

Photography by Kyle Jeffers.