Project Data:

Completion Date:     1/1/2025

Square Footage:      0

Building Use:           Modular Multifamily Housing

Project Description:

There is an urgent housing crisis in America because it is simply too expensive and takes too long to build. Middle-income renters, among others, are struggling. Within this context, Cloud Apartments is the next evolution of modular apartments for the modern renter. Cloud Apartments sets a precedent to fundamentally change the economics and efficiencies of housing construction so more people can live in The Cloud, setting a new standard for beautiful, sustainable, affordable apartments.
The project is designed, built, and shipped with all the wiring, plumbing, HVAC, and technology included, making Cloud Apartments the highest quality of modular housing for a fraction of the cost and time. The proprietary installation system makes installation literally a snap, avoiding costly third-party contractors. Cloud Apartments include everything with no customization needed. Beautiful, functional, and smart from the inside out, Cloud Apartments create a higher standard in rental housing at a significantly lower cost.
Each Cloud Apartment building uses a signature line of Cloud products and comes with its own unique set of design features, emphasizing modern spaces, smart home technology, affordability, and sustainable design and construction. Three standard units feature Cloud’s smart technology. Control or automate routines from lighting, to speakers, to temperature, and more with integrated smart technology included within all Cloud apartments. Cloud S studio apartments pack a lot of features into 500 square feet of living space, leveraging robotic furniture. Studios include an open balcony with bi-fold doors allowing a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor space. Ori Living’s Cloud Bed transforms the bedroom by elevating the bed and leaving a sofa in its place. Units include full-sized kitchens with modern appliances and kitchen island, a storage room with washer and dryer, and modern bathroom with plenty of countertop space and cabinets. Cloud 1 comprises 750 sf of modern living space, open floor plan, roomy bedroom with a large walk-in-closet, as well as all the functional and smart technology which comes standard with all Cloud units. Similarly, Cloud 2 includes 1,000 sf of living space with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a master suite and home office space.
Located near San Jose Airport, Santa Clara University, and a short drive to downtown San Jose, Cloud San Jose will be our flagship building in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Framework for Design Excellence

DESIGN FOR INTEGRATION
The primary purpose of the Cloud Apartments project is to address the urgent housing crisis in America by providing affordable and accessible housing options for middle-income renters. By utilizing modular construction and innovative technology, the project aims to reduce construction costs and timelines, making high-quality housing more attainable. Beyond just providing housing units, the project envisions creating a sense of community. The thoughtfully designed apartments, shared spaces, and integration with the surrounding environment aim to foster a sense of belonging among residents.

The design of Cloud Apartments can engage the senses through elements such as natural lighting, open balconies with bi-fold doors connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, and modern amenities that provide comfort and convenience. By being located near key amenities like the San Jose Airport, Santa Clara University, and downtown San Jose, Cloud Apartments can connect residents to the surrounding urban fabric, offering them access to jobs, education, and leisure activities. The integrated smart technology within each apartment engages residents by allowing them to customize their living environment, creating a personalized and connected experience.

Development Strategy
While the design for Cloud Apartments sets a new standard for innovative modular construction, it’s the strategy behind the development concept which truly shifts the paradigm for multifamily development. Cloud Apartments advances a fundamental change in the economics of housing construction so that more people can afford a beautiful home. People may fight to preserve it because it serves as a solution to a pressing social issue.

Cloud Apartments distinguishes itself through two fundamental concepts. Firstly, the approach envisions the apartment as a meticulously crafted product, placing a strong emphasis on the needs and preferences of the renter. Secondly, instead of attempting to reinvent existing practices, the strategy involves collaborating with established builders within the industry.

Shifting the perspective of the apartment as a consumer product represents a significant departure from the conventional housing construction methods. Typically, apartment buildings are conceived from an external viewpoint, where architects first design the building's overall form and appearance before considering the internal unit layouts. This approach often results in suboptimal designs that inadequately cater to the needs of renters, as their requirements are an afterthought in the process.

In contrast, the process for Cloud Apartments adopts an approach that centers on crafting the ideal lineup of apartment products with renters as the focal point. These meticulously designed apartments then serve as the foundational elements for constructing buildings, with the design process flowing from the interior outwards. By treating apartments as consumer products, the strategy facilitates an intense concentration on meeting the precise needs of renters while simultaneously unlocking notable efficiencies in the manufacturing process, akin to the streamlined assembly line procedures. This innovation not only enhances the renter experience but also holds the potential to substantially reduce manufacturing costs, leading to subsequent reductions in rental prices.

Ultimately, by embracing this unique perspective and collaborating with industry-established builders, Cloud Apartments endeavors to reshape the way apartments are conceptualized, designed, and constructed. This not only addresses the existing challenges in housing construction but also demonstrates a commitment to offering renters a truly optimized living experience while contributing to broader advancements in the housing industry.


DESIGN FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES
The Cloud Apartments project's greater reach extends beyond providing affordable and innovative housing solutions. It has the potential to contribute to a just and equitable community through consumer diversity, accessible smart technology, and attainable housing.
The strategic integration of cutting-edge smart technology, thoughtfully designed open floor plans, and well-crafted connective spaces collaboratively cultivate an environment that not only encourages but also celebrates profound human interaction and meaningful connections.
Modular construction provides efficient projects that can be built off-site; providing a weather proof construction method that can be completed during emergencies. Emergency housing or potential evacuation spaces could be designed, manufactured and delivered much faster than a typical development process. Moreover, the productized approach reduces risk further because buildings use standardized building blocks that have been proven to work.


DESIGN FOR ECONOMY
Providing abundance while living within our means requires a holistic approach that maximizes the efficient use of resources and optimizes benefits. This involves leveraging smart technology to monitor and manage resource consumption, adopting sustainable practices to minimize waste, and designing spaces that can accommodate multiple functions, thus enhancing the utility of each element. By focusing on quality over quantity and utilizing materials and systems that promote durability, the project can deliver abundance without straining available resources.
By investing in high-quality materials and systems upfront, the project can reduce maintenance and replacement costs over time. Additionally, selecting energy-efficient technologies and sustainable practices may have higher upfront costs but can yield substantial savings in operational expenses, energy consumption, and resource conservation over the project's lifecycle.

Firm Name:              AO

Completion Date:     1/1/2025

Square Footage:      0

Building Use:           Modular Multifamily Housing

Location:                 San Jose, CA

Design Architect:

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Owner / Developer:
Cloud Apartments

Engineer:
Structural Engineer: DCI Engineers
MEP Engineer: Emerald City Engineers, Inc.

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