 Azotea Senior Apartments is the new construction of a 60 unit development in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The development features a combination of 14 one and two story buildings. In the buildings there is a variety of 24 one-bedroom apartments and 36 two-bedroom apartments. All of the units are exclusively for buyers age 62 and older, although other household members only have to be age 55 and older. There will be four fully accessible units within the complex. Additionally, all units are designed to be adaptable so that it can be a universal, safe home for anyone at any age.
Located in Otero County, the second largest county in the state, the project is built on a five-acre parcel situated along a major thoroughfare in Alamogordo. Founded in 1898 as a terminal for the railroad, the city of Alamogordo is the county seat and also the metropolitan center of the Tularosa Basin. The neighboring area is generally stable with established apartment complexes and businesses to the north and west. Land to the south and east is undeveloped and has the possibility of being left as an open space for a park, always green for seniors and a pleasure to watch and spend time in.
Azotea Senior Apartments incorporates various green elements into the design and construction of the development:
- The architectural style of the community is 1950s style “modern” stucco. Each apartment home is designed with a porch or patio, and the buildings are sited to create a sense of security, neighbor interaction and passive solar gain to maximize energy efficiency.
- The development seeks to utilize green, non-toxic building materials such as recycled finger-jointed framing studs produced locally by White Sands Forest Products; recycled carpet and VCT tile; water-based natural paints; non-formaldehyde, wheat-based plywood; and recycled cotton insulation. This all leads to better indoor air quality, where seniors spend a good deal of their time. It prevents VOCs from being released so the residents can enjoy better, safer indoor air.
- The site’s landscape design includes native or drought resistant plants, shrubs, ground cover and trees.
- The buildings are designed in conjunction with the landscape design to harvest rainwater from the roofs and provide irrigation to the plants.
- Community gardens, picnic areas and shaded outdoor seating are part of the grounds for social gatherings, good for senior mental well-being.
- Twelve of the 60 units at Azotea Senior Apartments are second story walk-ups. TRT conducted consumer market research that indicated many seniors like this design for security, daily exercise and enhanced views.
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