To design a 97-unit multifamily project on a triangular lot in the Japantown neighborhood of San Jose, California, Salt Lake City–based developer LandForge and Irvine, California–based architecture firm KTGY drew inspiration from the culture and traditions of its surroundings.
The building’s exterior evokes the look of contemporary Japanese architecture with its material and volume contrast, vertical glazing systems and the angular shapes of its balconies, walls and rooflines. The minimalist color-block facades frame a series of immense six-story murals, created in collaboration with local artists and covering over 10,000 square feet of the exterior, according to a release.
“By embracing the triangular lot shape and finding inspiration in the local culture, we were able to transform a nuanced lot with an underserved art studio into a vibrant mixed-use area that highlights the local architecture with Japanese flair,” said Ben Seager, principal at KTGY, in a release.
Exhibit at JTown, managed by Greystar, is also the new home of the Bay Area’s Empire Seven Studios, a gallery space that will host exhibits and artistic installations.
"The development team's objective was to create a perfect balance between a staged and an organic presentation," said Juan Carlos Araujo, a member of Empire Seven Studios and one of the building’s artistic contributors, in the release. "Collaborating with them to this end, we have created something special, something stable and something we are proud to be a part of for this next chapter in our artistic journey."
Flats and townhomes at the building range from one to four bedrooms in size. Amenities include a two-story community common space featuring a convertible wall that connects the commons with the Zen-inspired exterior courtyard; and a co-working environment that overlooks the commons. The community also features a two-story fitness center and a sky deck with a gaming nook and art gallery. Two on-site sculpture gardens will also be open to residents and to the public.
Parking was among the property’s foremost challenges, according to KTGY. Not only is it on a triangular lot, but the area’s high water table made underground parking unfeasible. Enter the mechanical valet parking lift, through which residents can store and retrieve their vehicles via smart device app. The lift holds up to 129 cars, and three separate ADA-compliant parking spaces are also available.
Exhibit at JTown is LEED-Platinum certified and features a solar array and battery backup system, fiber optic internet connectivity that can run through planned and unplanned power interruptions, water reuse strategies, EV charging stations and indoor air quality systems.
