Sweetwater Spectrum is a new national model for supportive housing for adults with autism, offering life with purpose and dignity. Created to address a growing housing crisis for adults with autism, this new community for sixteen residents integrates autism spectrum design, universal design and sustainable design strategies in Sonoma, California.
Sweetwater Spectrum is a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by families, autism professionals, and community leaders to provide appropriate, high-quality housing for adults with autism, maximizing residents’ individual development and independence. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States, affecting 1 in 88 children. In the coming decade, as many as 500,000 children with autism will reach adulthood, yet few residential options exist for them. Sweetwater Spectrum is an innovative new model that can be replicated nationwide to help solve this impending housing crisis.
The project includes four homes, a community center, therapy pools, urban farm, orchard and greenhouse. Autism-specific design strategies promote serene, legible spaces that offer a sense of belonging. Practical sustainable design strategies promote healthy environments, reduce energy consumption, and offer multiple long-term benefits to residents, staff and the Sonoma community.
The project is a Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Zero Net Energy Pilot Project.
Material Used :
1. Exterior Wood Cladding: T & G Western Red Cedar
2. Exterior Moisture Barrier: Fortifiber Building Systems JumboTex Weather-Resistive Barrier
3. Exterior Fiber Cement Board: JamesHardie HardiePanel Vertical Siding
4. Sunshades: Draper Exterior Sun Shades
5. Built-up roofing: Johns Manville
6. Metal roofing: AEP Span Metal Roofing
7. Composite Frame Windows: Pella Impervia Composite Sliding & Casement Windows
8. Aluminum Exterior Storefront Windows: US Aluminum
9. Aluminum Interior Storefront Windows: Wilson Partitions
10. Glass: PPG Solarban 70XL
11. Skylights: VELUX Skylights
12. Insulated-panel or plastic glazing: PolyGal Polycarbonate sheets
13. Entrance doors: US Aluminum Storefront Entrances
14. Metal doors: Ceco Doors
15. Wood doors: Haley Architectural Doors
16. Sliding doors:Fleetwood Exterior Aluminum Glazed Sliding Doors,Pella Impervia Composite Sliding Patio Doors
17. Overhead Garage Door: C.H.I. Overhead Doors
18. Locksets: Schlage
19. Closers: LCN
20. Pulls: Trimco & Rockwood
21. Acoustical ceilings: Architectural Components Group, Inc. Acoustical Wood Ceiling Panels
22. Cabinetwork and custom woodwork: Maple Veneer
23. Paints and stains: Sherwin Williams Paint
24. Plastic laminate: Wilsonart Laminate
25. Solid surfacing: DuPont Corian Solid Surface Shelving
26. Special surfacing: DuPont Zodiaq Quartz Countertop Surfaces
27. Floor and wall tile (cite where used): Dal Tile wall and floor tile @ bathrooms
28. Resilient flooring: Forbo Marmoleum Resilient Flooring
29. Carpet: Shaw Carpet Tile
30. Special interior finishes: National Gypsum Gold Bond High Impact Gypsum Board
31. Office furniture: Steelcase
32. Chairs: Davis Furniture, Room and Board, Bernhardt Design
33. Tables: Coalesse, Room and Board, Bernhardt Design
34. Upholstery: Design Tex
35. Interior ambient lighting: Peerless Lighting, Pinnacle Architectural Lighting
36. Downlights: Lithonia Lighting, Winona Lighting, USAI Lighting
37. Exterior lighting: Winona Lighting, Lithonia Lighting
38. Dimming System or other lighting controls: Wattstopper Occupancy Sensor
39. WC: Kohler
40. Lavatories: Zurn
41. Bathtubs: Bootz Industries
42. Jacuzzi Tubs: Kohler
43. Showers: Delta
44. Sinks: Just Sinks
45. Drinking Fountain: Halsey Taylor
46. Energy management or building automation system: Siemens Building Technology
47. Photovoltaic system: Suntech Photovoltaic Modules
48. Roof Insulation: ICYNENE Closed Cell Spray Foam Insulation
49. Wall Insulation: Owens Corning EcoTouch Batt Insulation
50. Underslab Insulation: Dow Styrofoam Rigid Underslab Insulation
51. Solar Thermal Water Collectors: SunEarth Inc. Glazed Flat Plate Solar Collectors
52. Radiant Heating/Cooling Slab: Rehau Radiant Tubing
53. Cooktops: GE Induction Cooktops
