Studio Expertise Build to Rent Differentiators Part 1: Site Plans The fad has not faded, and build to rent communities are now mainstream. That means developers can no longer rely solely on the novelty of a relatively new product type to garner renter interest. Competition will become more intense now that renters have seen the basics, so tomorrow’s communities must be designed to differentiate so […] Read more
Trends Five Principles of High-Achieving Multifamily Design In today’s rapidly evolving market, the formula for success in property development is continually being rewritten. 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. Efficient Unit Design One […] 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
