Project Summary

Addressing the continued demand for affordable housing in the Bay Area, Merritt Crossing provides 70 units of senior housing in downtown Oakland. The development is ideally located to offer seniors the opportunity to age in a place in their community with easy access to amenities and services. The Lake Merritt BART station is located only 2 blocks away, and a variety of grocery stores, senior centers, parks, shopping and medical services are within 1/2 mile of the development. The new 61,676 square-foot, 6-story building consists of five levels of Type III construction with metal stud framing over a concrete podium. The 70 units will feature five studios, 55 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units and an enclosed garage with 18 parking stalls.

Nibbi Brothers worked with Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects to use a new product called Swiss Pearl for the exterior skin. This exterior lap siding and panel material is fabricated from a much denser material than U.S.-manufactured cement siding. The product, with a high-quality, pre-finished coating on an acrylic base, will provide a practically maintenance-free exterior during its lifespan of 40 years. The Swiss Pearl was installed in a rain-screen application that provides a 1-in. air gap between the lap siding and the building subsurface. This allows for much more efficient natural cooling of the building, while saving energy.

The project is LEED^® Platinum certified, GreenPoint Rated, Energy Star Rated, and Bay Friendly Landscaping Rated. Some sustainable building elements include:

• Solar heating system
• Low-volume ventilation system augmented by ceiling fans
• Flow restrictors on all faucets
• Cabinets and countertops with no added formaldehyde
• Low (VOC) volatile organic compounds materials
• High-performance glass
• High-efficiency heating system
• Fully commissioned building systems
• Water-efficient landscaping
• Adherence to Nibbi’s Indoor Air Quality Management Plan

 Awards:

• 2012 AIA East Bay, Bay Area Regional Design Awards, Exceptional Residential Honor
• 2013 AIA National, Committee on the Environment, Top Ten Green Projects Award