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An Attractive Masonry Structure Suits Seniors in
Phoenix
 Multi-family
housing is a huge potential market. A number of factors are feeding
the need for segmented housing: an aging population, an influx of
young people to cities—where space is tight and land is expensive,
and a large student population living in college dormitories. On
the project described here, masonry units and stucco finishes provide
numerous benefits: they are durable and affordable, provide natural
ventilation and light, and offer safety and security.
The primary exterior material chosen for La Cascada II, a recent
senior housing project tucked into the city confines of Phoenix,
Arizona, was integral colored slump block in a warm reddish-brown
earth tone. A secondary material—plain concrete masonry units
(CMUs) finished with brightly colored stucco—was also prominently
used on the buildings.
Topping the list of reasons designers and owners chose masonry
(and stucco) was durability. Building owners had a long-term perspective,
knowing that they wanted this facility to be operating for a long
time.
 Using
masonry also allowed designers to create openings in mass walls.
From a functional standpoint, these openings promote air circulation
in public corridors and provide diffused natural light during the
day. Aesthetically, the blockouts are a design element in the mass
wall sections, and the light they let through creates ever-changing
shadows and contrasts.
Perhaps even more importantly, masonry provides real protection—from
fire—because it does not burn. La Cascada II incorporates
the three aspects of balanced design: smoke detection, fire suppression,
and non-combustible construction. Balanced design increases safety
and minimizes damage. Smoke detectors provide early warning and
sprinklers can help put out fires that do start. However, the use
of concrete and masonry provides the added protection of containment,
made even more important since residents are located so close together.
Especially with elderly people, who may have reduced mobility or
impaired vision or hearing, non-combustible construction provides
precious extra time for firefighters to reach the occupants in the
event of an emergency.
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