Architecture Commons^™

Economy: Life In Paradise, Ali Chen, Killian Angell

Research

This poster describes significant aspects of Paradise’s economy, primarily statistics about income and income sources, as well as major employers in the town.

On the positive side, the cost of living in Paradise is approximately a third less than in California as a whole, housing prices are about half ($200,000 versus $400,000), and the rate of owner-occupied housing is higher (nearly 70% versus 54%). On the negative side, however, Paradise residents earn less than California and US residents: average household incomes are some $15,000 less than the state’s, and $7,000 less than the country’s. One part of this income disparity …

Demographics: Life In Paradise, Elisabeth Frizzell, Victor Hoyos

Research

This poster provides statistical information derived from the US Census Bureau on the town’s population, such as age, race, income, and education levels.

The most salient points derived from this information have to do with the inhabitants’ median age, ethnicity, and income. By these measures and compared to the population of California as a whole, the citizenry of Paradise was generally older (median age of 50 versus 36), whiter (92% versus 72%), and less educated (percentage with a bachelor's degree or higher 25% versus 32%). The town also has fewer households with children (30% versus 46%) and proportionally more people …

Infrastructure: Life In Paradise, Khoa Le, Sabrina Yerena

Research

This poster presents information about the town’s infrastructure, including the many town facilities before the fire: one police station, four fire stations, and Feather River Hospital. There is also information about public services, including transportation, water, gas, sewer, and waste management. Of these, the issues of transportation and sewage treatment are most significant for the future development of the town.

Given the low-density development that prevails in Paradise, public transportation before the fire was severely limited; there were only two bus routes, one along Skyway and the other along Clark Road. Most people had long walks to bus stops, and …

Climate: Life In Paradise, Benjamin Campbell, Natalie Giombi

Research

This poster provides information on climate in Paradise, as well as some passive strategies for heating and cooling buildings given that climate.

Typical of most of California, Paradise’s climate is characterized by wet winters and dry summers but is generally rather benign: residents like to say that the town is located “above the fog line, but below the snow line.” Passive strategies for building design include shading devices to regulate solar heat gain, evaporative cooling to enable venting of hot air within buildings, thermal insulation to trap heat, and south-facing glass to allow heat gain.

History: Life In Paradise, Emma Puryear, Gabrielle Icardo

Research

This poster presents information about the history of Paradise.

In the mid-19th Century, three Native-American tribes, known collectively as the Maidu, inhabited the area around Paradise. Estimates of their pre-contact population hover around 9,000 people. With the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, the history of modern Paradise begins – with an influx of white settlers and the subsequent near-obliteration of the Native-American people. By 1930, the Maidu numbered less than one hundred.

Other than this calamity, the town’s growth was slow and steady over the course of the next hundred and fifty years – the noteworthy events …

Culture & Education: Life In Paradise, Christian Bernard, Arielle Eleazar, Ryan M. Huddlestun

Research

This poster describes cultural and community life in Paradise before the fire, noting the locations and types of schools, churches, and other civic institutions. The poster also describes several cultural events the town held each year, most of them festivals celebrating its history (Gold Nugget Days) or cuisine (Chocolate Fest).

Land Use Patterns: Life In Paradise, Sophia Smith, Nolan Delgado, Tiana Shiroma

Research

This poster shows a map of the town, depicting the different land uses. As shown here, most of the town was zoned low-density residential. While there were some higher density residential developments, apartment complexes and mobile home parks, for example, single-family homes were the dominant house type. Commercial zones were concentrated on the two main north-south routes, Skyway and Clark Roads.

The map shows the many riparian corridors in the town, as well as various community facilities. Agricultural areas are prevalent on the south side of town, and resource conservation areas are located on the east and west.