Epoca
Otay Mesa, San Diego, California
Status: Built
John Hreno’s work at Ground Level Landscape Architecture
A master-planned community inspired by the rustic beauty of Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe, where natural materials, native landscape, and interlinked paseos meet. The design reimagines the Valle's textural architecture and earthy aesthetic for San Diego, weaving warmth, walkability, and authentic community connection into a new sense of place.
Community neighborhood plan
Paseo with layers
Paseo entry structure
Epoca rises from the landscape of Otay Mesa in South San Diego as a master-planned community born from a love affair with Mexico's Valle de Guadalupe. Following several visits to northern Baja, the ColRich team was enamored by the area's picturesque setting, earthy vibe, and unique textural architecture, where natural materials co-exist in unexpected ways and local architecture draws direct inspiration from the region's landscape. That vision became the genesis for a brand-new community of warmth, comfort, and resilience.
Interconnecting paseos link gardens, parks, and gathering spaces, inspiring walkability and community connection. From decorative metal and natural flagstone to native grasses and interwoven grapevines, an artistic mix of natural materials replicates the feeling of the Valle throughout the community. Board-formed concrete, weathered signage, and desert trees provide pops of color and textural elements, while fifteen acres of green space anchor a gorgeous central park designed for gathering, play, and celebration.
The result is a walkable neighborhood atmosphere where architecture, landscape, and community meet, extending the spirit of the Valle into everyday life.
Project year
2022
Status
Built
John’s role
Exterior design and garden design
Project area
15 acres of green space
Client
ColRich
Landscape elements
Corten steel structures, concrete paving, timber pergolas, succulent garden beds, ornamental grasses, palm and shade trees, central park
Architecture
HGW Architecture
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