San Diego desperately needs more housing. According to local studies, San Diego needs more than 90,000 new units by 2030, to keep up with demand. Larger sites that could be developed into dense, multi-unit projects are almost nonexistent. Where larger sites exist, there is passionate push back against high density development from almost every neighborhood. The resulting housing scarcity drives up rental and sales costs, making housing less affordable.

The Starter demonstrates an alternate strategy that can be undertaken, by-right, across thousands of smaller sites throughout the city, in a distributed approach that is thoughtful and impactful. As Architect and Developer we took matters into our own hands to intelligently weave density into an existing neighborhood on a smaller, challenging site that most developers would not touch. This approach works in established neighborhoods, so amenities are already a short walk away, which further reduces development costs.

Architecturally the Starter nests itself into the surrounding neighborhood along the canyon. It takes the form of a sustainable, 3-story duplex, behind a single-family residence, in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. The lower unit is grounded to the sloping site with outdoor spaces that feel protected and intimate. The upper unit has an expansive deck with views across Florida Canyon. A terraced outdoor space at ground level is a threshold that balances the privacy of the units from the street, with the front residence, while still allowing the occupants direct access to their very walkable community.

The Starter received a Citation Award from AIA San Diego