Completed in 2005 for Centex Homes, the Murano residential development provides single-family homes around a communal green space in Cupertino, California. Carducci Associates took special care to preserve existing oaks and palms to create a pleasant park setting that complements the tall narrow architecture of the houses, establishing a pedestrian scale, and tying the development into the surrounding area. Grass pavers were incorporated into the design to minimize surface water runoff and add more horticultural elements to the softscape. At the center of the project, a small green commons provides an attractive space for neighborhood interaction and outdoor activities.