Pushing the Envelope: BBUD Creates a New Group of ADU Homes from Unused Spaces
San Francisco has always been a city of contradictions; indicative among them is housing inequality, with skyrocketing housing costs pushing out all but the wealthiest residents. However, there are solutions both now, and on the horizon, with many forward-thinking architects and developers finding new ways to create affordable housing in the city. Our firm, Blecher Building + Urban Design, led by Architect Howard Blecher, is excited to contribute our architectural expertise toward this effort. Our latest project transforms six vacant garages at 3434 18th Street into three fully affordable, electrified Accessory Dwelling Units, also known as ADUs. The new ADUs fronting San Carlos Street are now officially 50, 52 and 54 San Carlos Street. In addition to the brand-new ADU housing, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve also updated the eight existing apartments and the entire building to the same high standards to provide improved comfort and amenities to the existing tenants.
“We are proud to partner with a fantastic project team to bring life to these underused spaces, to provide beautiful, comfortable and affordable homes for deserving families and other tenants, to revitalize this building and to connect to the community like never before,” Blecher said of our latest project.
Of course, creating affordable housing is not without its challenges. The excessive cost of land and construction in San Francisco makes it difficult to build affordable homes that are financially feasible for developers, so it is especially important to think outside the box when utilizing existing spaces. Moreover, sometimes community members think that affordable housing will lower property values or attract undesirable tenants. However, Blecher Building + Urban Design and our partners have shown that it is possible to make these homes both economical and valuable assets to the neighborhood through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability and social justice.
The goal of the 18th Street ADUs Conversion Project is to provide affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income residents, while also promoting sustainability and energy efficiency. The ADUs range in size from 400 to 630 square feet and are equipped with their own kitchen, bathroom, and living space. Additionally, the units are available in one-bedroom and two-bedroom configurations. They are fully electrified, with state-of-the-art appliances, space conditioning and water heating systems that minimize energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Blecher Building + Urban Design’s innovative housing solutions are built on our core design philosophy: to create inspiring, productive, healthy, and comfortable environments for people. The 18th Street ADUs Conversion Project addresses the housing crisis in the San Francisco Bay area by both renovating and creating new homes that inspire living, learning, and working and enhance an individual’s experience within the space and in the community.
The conversion of the garages at 18th and San Carlos streets has garnered great attention for Blecher Building + Urban Design; the company was recently featured in Mission Local – “Mission Moves: From garages to granny flats“ by Annika Hom. The project has been hailed as a model for how to create affordable housing in dense urban areas where space is at a premium. The garages were transformed into sleek, modern living spaces that are functional, beautiful and with enhanced visual connection to the neighborhood for a safer community. The conversion is the first ADU project for Mission Housing Development Corp. and features:
- All affordable/below market rate housing
- Fully ADA accessible dwelling units
- Full electrification of the building as a move away from fossil fuels
The 18th Street ADUs Conversion Project is a testament to the power of collaboration among Blecher Building + Urban Design, Mission Housing Development Corporation (Owner), the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors, ZFA Structural Engineers, MHC Engineers, Inc., Association for Energy Affordability and Walker Consultants as well as local community organizations. Let’s hope that there are many more to come.
Howard Blecher, AIA, NCARB is a licensed Architect, is a LEED AP (BD+C) and is a Certified GreenPoint Rater. Howard is also the Principal of Blecher Building + Urban Design | BBUD, a full-service architecture, planning and consulting firm serving homeowners, businesses, developers, and institutions.