The Development Team
Since 2009, a local home designer and a real estate broker friend had a vision of creating homes in which active adults could live comfortably and vitally as they age and are less eager and able to take care of a large home and yard. The friends intuitively knew and learned through research that those who age in community live longer, more connected, more enjoyable lives. They also observed that many of the options for smaller homes and living environments for down-sizers and those entering retirement are institutional, unimaginative and way out in the suburbs. After several years of researching and visiting cohousing communities, they began working with an inspired community of people and a talented architect to create this “pocket neighborhood,” close to the bosque of Albuquerque’s North Valley.
Marianne Dickinson has been remodeling and maintaining older homes and commercial properties since her teens. For over a decade she was home design consultant for Robert Slattery Construction Inc. as well as being Marketing Director for that award-winning custom building firm. She co-founded No Place Like Home LLC, which specialized in designing and managing aging-in-place and energy efficiency remodeling projects. She has been active in community revitalization and green building initiatives for over 25 years and has managed retail, publishing and marketing businesses for almost 40 years. Her education is primarily in Design (FIT) and Journalism/Mass Communications (CUNY), with professional courses in business management and marketing
Pamela Heater has been a Realtor since 2001 and has lived many lives as an artist teacher and business person. She contributes her flexibility and liveliness to a vibrant yoga practice. Along with finding and selling homes for wonderful clients, Pamela has remodeled and designed several homes for resale. She was previously a local business owner of Art!Attack. Pamela has a BS from the University of Oregon in Business Administration with a marketing emphasis. She also studied Art and Architecture for 2.5 years at several colleges, including UNM and the Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. She has had an ongoing and dedicated commitment to “out-of-the-box” housing solutions. Thus, finding and developing Acequia Jardin is a dream come true!
Garrett Smith Ltd (GSL) is a regionally recognized firm with more than 30 design awards, including 12 from the American Institute of Architects. Established in 1990, they are located in Albuquerque and provide architectural and planning services throughout the state of New Mexico. With three LEED-certified Staff Members, including Principal Architect Garrett Smith, they are leaders in energy conservation and energy cost savings. Garrett Smith has practiced architecture since 1976. Additionally, he is a licensed General Contractor, with projects designed and constructed in California and New Mexico. He brings a real-world approach to construction documents, site observation, and construction administration. His architectural experience includes the design of educational facilities, health-care facilities, museums, commercial, and multifamily housing projects. He has developed several multi-home projects in Albuquerque.
Acequia Jardin 