Overview

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is a public research university located near Sacramento Calif. Founded in 1905 and known for its biological and agricultural science programs, UC Davis successfully fulfilled a 2023 milestone to provide more campus housing, as part of an agreement with the city of Davis and Yolo County, with the completion of the Orchard Park Neighborhood. Located on a 19-acre site in the northwest corner of campus, the $330 million dollar project offers affordable campus housing and features 11 four-story residential buildings and two community centers with exercise, study, and meeting spaces.

Key Challenges and Solutions

There are 189 two-bedroom apartments for students with families and 1,100 bed leases in studio, two-bedroom, and four-bedroom apartments for single students. The neighborhood also features a green space with heritage trees, a children’s play area, and a network of bike and pedestrian paths. 

All aspects of Orchard Park strive to blend in with the natural surroundings and incorporate sustainability. This includes the SpectraPour system that was installed in the children’s play area. The brown, mustard, beige, blue, green, and bright green colors were selected to complement the environment and are sustainable. That’s because SpectraPour playground safety surfacing is comprised of shock-absorbing recycled rubber and qualifies for LEED® credits. It also conforms to ADA requirements and is IPEMA-certified.

The new Orchard Park replaces a 51-year-old 200-apartment complex of the same name, which was designated for students with families, which closed in 2015. To make the new housing project possible, UC Davis partnered with the nonprofit Collegiate Housing Foundation of Fairhope, Ala. - to fund the project through tax-exempt bond sales - and with The Michaels Organization of Camden, N.J., a national real estate firm that has expertise in developing affordable housing and student living communities. Orchard Park was designed by TCA Architects of Oakland, Calif., and the CBG Building Company of Arlington, Va., served as the general contractor.