Conquering Ventura

Urban framework met with innovative solutions and strategic planning – this is the city of Ventura, a dynamic and challenging environment for developers, builders, architects, and planners. The residential project Del Sol stands as a testament to this, showcasing the collaborative efforts of WHA and Shea Homes. Partnering together, we have crafted a diverse community by designing three distinct product types: townhomes, small single-family detached homes, and large single-family detached homes – all intermixed to create a vibrant neighborhood.

An open recreation center for residents features a pool and utilizes a progressive coastal design, reflecting the area’s vibrant seaside environment. The selected elevation style harmonizes with the local aesthetic, offering residents a modern and inviting space for leisure and community activities.

WHA’s planning department has strategically placed these plans on lots, considering the variable lot widths and depths, as well as specific site requirements. This careful placement ensures that each home not only fits seamlessly into the approved site plan but also contributes to the strong street scenes that characterize the community. Our Color Studio has skillfully applied colors and materials to enhance the architectural features of each home, while the Graphics Studio created illustrative DRC submittals that effectively communicated the design intent and material palette throughout the stages of development.

The project navigates the complexities of alley-loaded and conventionally loaded lots, demonstrating WHA’s ability to develop strong neighborhood crafting within the constraints of set lot sizes. The adaptable floor plans are designed to handle the variability of the lots and the different garage orientations, ensuring that each home is both functional and aesthetically pleasing to appeal to today’s market.

The relationship between the landowner and the city has been instrumental in the project’s success; Shea Homes played a pivotal role in paving the way for a smooth development process. Their responsiveness to the city’s needs has been evident throughout the project, and WHA leading to the approval of the DRC on the first pass and the construction documents on the second pass. Notably, the exteriors of the homes underwent minimal changes from the DRC to the construction documents, indicating a well-conceived design that met the city’s standards from the outset.

Del Sol exemplifies the collaborative spirit and responsiveness necessary to navigate the intricacies of urban development. It serves as a model for future projects in Ventura and beyond, where the collective efforts of all parties involved lead to the creation of communities that are not only architecturally sound but also deeply integrated into the fabric of the city. The success of Del Sol reflects the potential for harmonious development when there is a clear vision, strategic planning, and a cooperative approach between developers, architects, planners, and city officials.