coLAB studio: The Embrace is an innovative project designed to redefine urban living. Spanning 137 acres in Tempe, Arizona, this development aims to house 30,000 residents at a density of 65 dwelling units per acre while preserving 31% of the site as open space. The project is guided by five main goals, each contributing to a harmonious and sustainable community.
1. Intimate Community Pods
The Embrace breaks down its 30,000 residents into smaller, intimate "pods" of no more than 200 people. This design fosters close-knit communities, ensuring that residents can form meaningful connections with their neighbors.
2. Nature at Your Doorstep
Biophilic design principles are at the heart of The Embrace, ensuring that every resident has direct access to nature. The development integrates green spaces, natural materials, and views of the sky throughout, bringing the outdoors inside and promoting well-being.
3. Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability
The Embrace is designed to be self-sufficient in terms of food, water, energy, and circular economics. The community will feature urban farms, rainwater and other harvesting systems, renewable energy, and waste recycling programs.
4. Lifelong Living
The Embrace offers a variety of housing types to accommodate residents at all stages of life. From starter homes to family-sized units and accessible housing for seniors, allowing residents to remain in the same community as their needs change.
5. Cultural and Economic Vibrancy
Reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Tempe, The Embrace incorporates diverse cultural elements, including five music venues, innovative architectural design, and ample economic opportunities. The development will host a variety of events and activities, fostering a vibrant and dynamic community.
Innovative Features:
A. Rent-Free Living for Local Professionals To enhance the circular economy, The Embrace will house local artists, landscapers, financial counselors, physical therapists, and others to live and run businesses from the site in exchange for rent-free living. This initiative supports local talent and ensures essential services are readily available to residents.
B. 3-D Printed Earth Materials The buildings in The Embrace will feature 3-D printed earth materials, creating lightweight sculptural forms that resemble natural Arizona boulders. These forms will act as planters for native plants, integrating greenery into the facades, increasing shade, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the development.
C. Shading and Solar Heat Reduction The tallest buildings in The Embrace will be strategically positioned to shade much of the site, reducing solar heat gain and creating a cooler, more comfortable environment.
D. Raised Pathways for Physical Activity A raised bike/run/walk path encircles the site, providing residents with safe and convenient routes for physical activity and transportation.
E. Mercados as Community Hubs The Embrace will feature five commercial areas known as Mercados, which will serve as economic hubs and community centers. These spaces will host a wide variety of events, providing residents with opportunities to engage and connect.
In summary, The Embrace combines innovative design, sustainability, and community-focused principles to create a vibrant and resilient urban environment.
About
coLAB studio operates as architects producing single-family homes, multi-family, commercial, and institutional buildings; and as artists making studio art, public art, and experimental installations.
Providing thoughtful and balanced projects, whether they are ARCHITECTURE (warm, active, scientific, externalized “Yang” energy) or ART (mysterious, transitioning, sensing, internalized “Yin” energy.)
We utilize Biophilic Design & and Building Science to furnish beauty & function with each project.
We draw from a freelance cohort of repeat collaborators; building and site scientists, biomimicry experts, artists, planners, digital design specialists, and a poet; on a per project-basis.
Our studio has delivered projects up to 85,000 sf and $15 million construction budgets. We have won over 55 major awards including Arizona Firm of the Year by AIA Arizona in 2023.
