Transitional Housing

Architecture Concept Design

Background & Inspiration

Architecture studio project exploring transitional housing in San Francisco.

Designed for a 55' x 120' urban lot with a 50-foot height limit, this project provides housing for marginally housed families through a compact, community-focused approach.

The proposal maximizes density by delivering 16 residential units, along with shared amenities including a childcare center, common kitchen, laundry facilities, great room, counseling services, meeting rooms, and utility spaces.

Concept Development

The project is based on a prefabricated housing strategy, with units designed to be trucked to the site and craned into place while the foundation is under construction. This approach reduces construction time, limits site disruption, and supports efficient delivery.

The building eliminates enclosed interior corridors in favor of open-air walkways, creating a continuous outdoor flow where residents are only fully indoors within their private units. A communal great room and rooftop garden serve as the primary shared spaces, offering light, views, and a sense of collective belonging.

The architectural expression takes cues from surrounding historic buildings, reinterpreting traditional bay windows as balconies to connect the project to its neighborhood context.