1 AIA LU|HSW
La Semilla is an innovative climate resiliency research center and pilot project. It is situated in San Ysidro, the San Diego neighborhood that touches Tijuana, México, and the busiest land border crossing in North America. San Ysidro is one of San Diego’s most disadvantaged communities and access to fresh local food is very limited. More than 120,000 cars pass through the border each day, creating some of the worst neighborhood air quality in California, and resulting in San Ysidro residents having a 30% higher incidence of asthma.
Based on design engagement with the neighborhood social innovation agency and local residents, La Semilla will demonstrate climate resilient, affordable, low-maintenance, construction methods and urban farming techniques that can be deployed in the community. The program includes: Food Forest, Multipurpose Community Hub, Greenhouse, Micromobility Node, Public Plaza, EV Parking Grove and Researcher’s Residence. Locating this project in a historically under resourced neighborhood demonstrates what sustainable and responsible development should look like, aiding residents in becoming advocates for similar developments in the future.
Key climate resilient strategies that will be employed include: biophilic design, capturing 99% of storm water on site for reuse, net zero energy and mass timber, just to name a few. La Semilla will also be a strategic social and civic space connector for San Ysidro, relevant to the daily rhythms, practical needs and year-round celebrations of the neighborhood
Thank you to our Sponsor:
Learning Objective 1:
Participants will be able to describe the process of designing a climate resilient community project, using climate resilient design strategies driven by the clients values and ongoing work to build up an underserved community that is a critical link between Mexico and the United States.
Learning Objective 2:
Participants will be able to identify the social and environmental justice issues that the community faces and how they are overcoming that with a ground up approach to development, supported by the clients and other non-profit/research organizations.
Learning Objective 3:
Participants will understand the integration of site and building as a response to the project brief. The architecture facilitates the activities of the site. The site is a laboratory for learning and a place for respite in the community.
Learning Objective 4:
Participants will be able to apply the lessons from this project as a demonstration project for climate resilient development in the community. As the community gentrifies, the project will give residence the education and tools needed to become stewards to responsible and responsive development.
Speakers
Brandon Blakeman, AIA
Principal, Workshop B Architects
Brandon Blakeman received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science in Real Estate Development for Architects degree from Woodbury University. He founded Workshop B Architects to synthesize his education and experience, guided by a belief that architecture creates a platform for human engagement and should elevate social and cultural conditions.
His work focuses on market rate and affordable infill housing as Architect/Developer and on projects for non-profit clients. While these are two distinct markets, they allow for the examination of overlapping ideas about social and environmental equity as well as for creating spaces for those who need it most.
Prior to founding Workshop B Architects, Brandon worked on large civic and education projects for award winning Architecture firms throughout California. He has also been an educator, serving as adjunct faculty for Newschool of Architecture & Design in San Diego and a guest juror at several universities throughout California.
Benjamin Arcia
Senior Associate, McCullough Landscape Architects
Benjamin Arcia received a Master’s in Urban Design from the University of Miami School of Architecture in 2011. His work has involved various facets of the built environment, including prefab housing, carpentry, and landscape architecture. In addition to his hands-on experience, Benjamin’s skillset includes digital 3d modeling and rendering, visual presentation, and construction documentation.
Since 2013, Benjamin has worked with Landscape Architect David McCullough, consulting on the planning, design, and construction of a variety of projects that include mixed-use infill, affordable housing, commercial repositioning, and transit-oriented development. Past clients have included Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Gafcon, and Malick Infill Development.
Half-Cuban, half-Nicaraguan, Benjamin is bilingual and bicultural. Between late 2018 and early 2020, Benjamin took a sabbatical to travel from Colombia to Patagonia and volunteered on organic and biodynamic farms throughout. An avid cyclist and backcountry trekker, his past hobbies include downhill longboard racing, competitive sailing, and martial arts. Benjamin and his wife live with their cat and dog in downtown San Diego.