A New Wedge in Lemon Grove
Citron Court is located in sunny Lemon Grove minutes east from downtown San Diego. The project was built by developer Community Collective and designed by a friend of mine, Mike Burnett, AIA, principal of the architecture firm FoundationForForm. Citron Court is a mixed-use infill development that brings 36 units of affordable housing atop of two street-level commercial spaces along a main commercial corridor. Citron Court was completed in June 2009 and families, single young professionals and retired seniors call this home. This project was the first new mixed-use development using smart-growth principles and ecologically friendly design in the city of Lemon Grove design, and could be used as model for future development.
The modern designed complex encompasses a skinny city block and is a colorful collection of two and three story buildings containing apartments and townhomes surrounding a series of courtyards. Simple and budget friendly materials were selected and executed in both efficient and creative ways to highlight and engage its surroundings. The design features numerous recesses and voids throughout the structure, along with varying colors and the dance of shade and shadows helps reduce the overall building massing. Colorful drought-tolerant landscaping highlights the parkways and creates a buffer between the street and parking garages.
Take a look at Community Collective’s website for more information about the others involved on the project, more information about Citron Court and their future projects.
Images by Joseph M. Reid
