Studio Expertise Retain to Sustain Amenitizing water retention is not a new concept, especially with every square inch of land coming at a premium these days. My goal as a land planner and community designer is to help developers address requirements while enhancing the lifestyle opportunities of the neighborhood. Read more
Studio Expertise Leveraging Density and Design for Community Impact As cities continue to grow and the demand for affordable housing rises, smart design and strategic use of density bonus programs have become key drivers in urban development. Affordable infill projects offer a way to deliver much-needed housing while integrating seamlessly into their surroundings. Read more
Studio Expertise AI Case Study: TestFit Concept to Entitlement Package We’ve shifted from exploring and researching, to fully investing in proven software platforms that leverage AI functionality in three key ways: Expedite workflows at every project stage; Quickly provide multiple iterations of design concepts; Allow our design professionals to easily manipulate outputs Read more
Studio Expertise Multifamily Land Planning Strategy: Urban Infill vs. Suburban As urban areas become more densely populated and suburban regions continue to expand, understanding the strategic differences in land planning is crucial for successful multifamily development. Urban infill and suburban projects each present unique challenges and opportunities that require tailored strategies to optimize land use, enhance livability and maximize return on investment. Read more
Studio Expertise Winning Tomorrow With Townhomes Builders and developers in all markets should be looking for townhome opportunities this year. Market forecasts indicate strong growth in this product type across the country, and the potential is undeniable. Read more
Trends California Housing Trends Deborah Muro has lived and worked in California for the entirety of her career in the homebuilding industry, so she has a particularly keen eye for how the market is behaving. She shares some thoughts and ideas here. Read more
Studio Expertise Northeast Multifamily Housing Trends Local expert Clark Espinosa shares his thoughts on the state of the Northeastern market. Read more
Studio Expertise Adapting to Emerging Single Family Living Preferences Recent data was released to show an adjusted annual rate of 1,129,000 in single family home starts, a 11.6% climb from the previous month. But this uptick is about more than just numbers; builders should prepare to capture their fair share of the market by shifting floor plan designs to reflect today’s buyer preferences. Read more
Studio Expertise Inside BSB Design’s Structural Engineering Studio BSB Design's Structural Engineering studio is recognized for its pragmatic and intelligent approach to structural engineering challenges. This studio is distinguished by its methodical application of engineering principles, deep understanding of construction materials and collaborative project management style. Read more
Studio Expertise BSB Design Leads the Way in Affordable Housing Solutions In a groundbreaking project that promises to transform the affordable housing landscape, BSB Design has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation and social responsibility. Hollywood Arts Collective is getting positive reviews as a much-needed sanctuary amidst the city’s soaring living costs. Read more
Studio Expertise Legislative Update: Getting Through the Entitlement Tangle 2023 was a busy year for California housing legislation with steps by Governor Newsom as well as local Mayors cutting red tape to streamline housing production. Even with these efforts, California and US housing markets continue to see an unprecedented lack of available units and cost burdens that are reaching their highest levels in years. […] Read more
Studio Expertise Build to Rent Differentiators Part 3: Site Plans & Units in Concert In part 3 of this design series, Copenhaver discusses his preferred method for designing floor plans and site layouts in concert to produce Best in Class BTR communities. Read more
Studio Expertise How 2023 Trends Shape the Future of 2024 Homes As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time to reflect on the trends that shaped the single family home building industry while we look forward to what 2024 might offer. Read more
Studio Expertise Build To Rent Differentiators Part 2: Floor Plans Building and unit plans in BTR communities must be standardized to simplify construction within and across phases, but they must also provide distinct features that will differentiate them from the competition. Read more
Studio Expertise Build to Rent Differentiators Part 1: Site Plans The path to success in BTR starts with differentiated site plan design. This market segment requires similar attention to amenities as multifamily and single family developments. Read more
Trends Five Principles of High-Achieving Multifamily Design Developers must balance the need to contain costs with the ever-growing demand for captivating, consumer-centric designs. We leverage five key principles when designing new multifamily projects, with a focus on performance, sustainability and community development. Read more
Studio Expertise The 3-Step Plan Performance Strategy: Part 3 The performance mindset targets three key areas: Cost vs. value, consumer demand, and measurable metrics to determine the effectiveness – or ineffectiveness – of floor plans. After completing the first two steps, you will have optimized your plans for performance and cut out the lowest performers. The final step requires a deep dive into several […] Read more
Studio Expertise Haven At The Gulch: Where Modern Luxury Meets Nashville’s Soul Nestled in the heart of Nashville’s vibrant Gulch neighborhood, Haven At The Gulch stands tall as a remarkable architectural gem, embodying the essence of this lively and artistic district. Once home only to rundown warehouses, The Gulch has undergone a transformative journey, evolving into a sought-after area filled with shops, restaurants, housing and hotels. Haven […] Read more
Studio Expertise Chicago Multifamily Housing Trends Based in BSB Design’s Chicago office, local expert Elke Anstadt has been designing multifamily projects throughout the Midwest for nearly 30 years. She provides a “boots-on-the-ground” perspective about the current multifamily market where she lives and works: TRENDING: Uniquely Themed Multifamily Buildings Our clients are steering away from the typical, design-sterile multifamily buildings of the […] Read more
Studio Expertise The 3-Step Plan Performance Strategy: Part 1 Managing cost without reducing consumer appeal is a balancing act. If you can do it effectively, it’s a sure way to maintain a competitive advantage in today’s market. Finding the perfect balance requires a strategic, holistic approach to reviewing and revising your plan portfolio. This means moving beyond “value engineering” to a performance-based mindset. The […] Read more
Studio Expertise The 3-Step Plan Performance Strategy: Part 2 In our last article, we covered the concept of Performance Engineering as the first step in managing cost without reducing consumer appeal. Strategic plan revision can effectively contain cost and enhance lifestyles, which is a surefire way to create lasting marketability. STEP 2: PRE-2020 PLAN PURGE The second way to improve performance requires a different […] Read more
Studio Expertise Not Your Parents’ House This year is posing an interesting dilemma for new home design. When markets soften, builders tend to tap the brakes. But pulling back doesn’t play out well when the market rebounds. And as recent years have proven, consumers have set high standards for design. In the past, traditional architecture was the go-to, leveraging nostalgic visions […] Read more
Studio Expertise Leveraging Legislation BSB Design’s client-centric approach utilizes a diverse tool kit of practical, technological, and aesthetic strategies to meet regulatory and design requirements. Increasingly that kit has incorporated the application of legislative tools for affordable and market-rate housing projects. Putting our in-depth understanding of California’s AB-1763, AB-2162, AB-2345 and even SB-35 to use during the planning and […] Read more
Trends Community Design in 2021 and Beyond: Part Two Built For Rent Communities Part one of my community design trends blog covered changing consumer preferences and strategies for 2021 and beyond in for-sale communities. Many of those same forward-thinking design considerations also apply to rental communities. In particular, single family built for rent communities have grown in popularity in the last few years, and interest seems to have […] Read more
Studio Expertise Community Design in 2021 and Beyond: Part One Community design, like all other sectors of the housing industry, has been forever changed due to COVID-19. The priorities for residents of for-sale communities have shifted, and in order to gain trust and confidence with these consumers, we must adapt to the changes. I recently had the pleasure of participating in an educational presentation at […] Read more
Trends Affordable Curb Appeal: Part 4 Great design is the foundation for great curb appeal. But it’s necessary to complete the design process with careful thought about appropriate, budget-friendly materials and details. This is the icing on the cake, and without it, much of the hard work you did to design a great home could be missed. Material selections, details and […] Read more
Trends Small Lots are Big in Texas Even though 50’ and 60’ lots are still king in Texas, more and more builders should leverage the instant value generated by smaller lots. Recent statistics show that 40’ lots now comprise 6% of the annual starts in Texas. That may not sound like a huge number, but it’s triple their historical share. And with […] Read more
Culture A Design Challenge that Will Change Affordable Housing Last week, BSB Design Leadership announced to its staff a new design challenge to begin immediately. This design challenge will not only encourage creativity, innovation and teamwork but also has the potential to completely change the solution to homelessness in America and across the globe. In 2006, BSB Design initiated a non-profit organization, Abod Shelters, […] Read more
