The Legacy of Levity

As architects and designers, we have a tremendous opportunity to leave behind a legacy—one of projects, buildings, spaces, and communities. With the grand opening of Levity at Tustin Legacy by Lennar quickly approaching, it becomes relevant to think about what imprint this community will leave. Will it stand proud among the ever-changing landscape of the Tustin Legacy area? Will it be seen as a strong example of contemporary architecture? Will it provide pleasant homes for families? These questions will only be answered with time. Let’s look at where this development is now.

Physically, Levity will leave behind a collection of buildings on a previously empty site. Three unique home types fill the site, each displaying its own character, distinct from the others, yet still harmonious, forming a new neighborhood ready to be filled with the lives and stories of many.

Architecturally, the buildings were designed to look and feel contemporary, but with careful attention to detail to ensure they age gracefully. Avoiding many of the “trendy trappings” of contemporary design, these buildings rise with clean, elegant forms that dominate the facades. “Tacked-on” adornment doesn’t clutter these elevations; rather, architectural elements are used to create focal points and draw the eye to key features of the buildings. The use of white as a base stucco color allows accent materials and other colors to enhance the overall building forms.

For me, Levity represents the most significant contribution I have made in the design of a project during my young career. But I am far from the only person who performed significant work in crafting this project. There were countless hands, minds, and hours involved, from the first trace paper sketch to the final coat of stucco, each deserving praise for their efforts. What we see built now is the result of a strategic collaboration between people of different skillsets and backgrounds, all working to achieve a goal: to leave behind a legacy that extends beyond our lives.