SAMANTHA HOLMES

     Given the rising concern with California's water supply, and the over arching rise in arid climate zones globally, it is time to reimage suburban lifestyles and developments to fit the demands of the delicate ecosystem of the American Southwest. In my senior thesis design, I explored this challenge and proposed one possible solution to a complicated issue.

​

     While American cities and urban sites have progressed immensely since the onset of the "green" revolution, there has been very little study of suburban sprawl and how to extend the branches of ecological thinking beyond city limits.  More specifically, the Southern California city of Palm Springs, modern in social mindset, has done very little to progress with the ever changing ecological demands of the desert climate zone.  Private pools, golf courses, and lawns are still highly valued by the masses in this growing city, causing a massive water shortage and putting the entire region at risk of transitioning into an arid climate permanently.  The Jeraboam seeks to offer an alternative planning and living approach for the city sprawl of the Southwest as suggested by the theories of "Smart Growth"(the New Urbanism), "Eco-Planning and Design" (Ken Yeang), and modern theories on passive green design.  Seeing as Palm Springs is the very epitome of luxurious California sprawl and over consumption, the site is situated adjacent to the city to act as a foil and showcase the potential of modern planning and design.