UC Santa Cruz Hagar Family Housing Development

A resilient, community-centered gateway for student families at UC Santa Cruz.

The Hagar Family Housing Development is a ground-up residential and early education project located at the entry meadow of the UC Santa Cruz campus. EHDD is providing architectural, interior design, and FF&E services for the 135,000-square-foot, design-bid-build project. Designed to support students with families, the development includes 140 residential units, an early education center, a community and maintenance building, and an on-site wastewater treatment plant.

The project transforms a prominent meadow site into a vibrant, livable community that aligns with the university’s values of sustainability, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. The design approach carefully integrates housing into the agrarian landscape, maintaining a low profile and preserving views, while emphasizing walkability, safety, and social connection among families.

EHDD is reimagining an earlier design to better reflect the natural context and ensure long-term resilience. Housing clusters are organized to support both privacy and interaction, and communal spaces—including the early education center and shared outdoor areas—reinforce the sense of belonging for residents with young children.

As the new front door to campus, Hagar Family Housing sets the tone for a more equitable and family-supportive university experience—blending thoughtful design with the unique ecological and cultural character of UC Santa Cruz.