Colectivo del Tule

El Colectivo del Tule was completed for the U.S. Department of Housing annual Innovations in Affordable Housing competition, where students are encouraged to work across disciplines to design affordable housing to fit a prompt. For the competition this year, a site in the California’s central valley in the town of Firebaugh was chosen on a plot with existing HUD housing. The prompt was to either keep the existing units and add new ones, or redesign the entire site. El Colectivo del Tule adds new units to the open space between the existing, increasing density.

“A new model for affordable housing, Colectivo del Tule is a multi-generational mixed-use community focused on 100% affordability for its residential units. Our project looks to redevelop and integrate the Fresno Housing Authority’s existing properties into a new neighborhood — by strengthening and building community connections within the neighborhood and the greater City of Firebaugh. Our design includes the development of 174 new units, with 32% of the units affordable at 30% AMI. The remaining 181 units on our site will also be renovated to increase equity between new construction and remaining units. Our proposal seeks to create an innovative sustainable community that is resilient to the region’s climate, offers a wide range of community amenities, enhances resident’s quality of life, and is cohesive with the character and scale of the surrounding neighborhood.”