IRVINE, CA—As we continue to experience a population boom and overwhelming need for suitable housing, architects and planners must find ways to achieve high-density living solutions that are innovative and cost effective, MVE + Partners VP Richard Castillo tells GlobeSt.com.

The architecture firm reports that this year, Los Angeles reached the four-million population mark, and Orange County has more than 3.1 million residents and counting. With this growth comes an increase in demand for housing in urban/suburban areas with limited development opportunities, calling for high-density design solutions. We are seeing a shift towards mixed-use developments, micro-units, automated parking structures and resident business centers with flexible workspaces.

We spoke with Castillo about these trends and how developers, architects and planners can create high-density residential developments that still meet the needs of all stakeholders.

GlobeSt.com: How do design firms approach high-density development trends in order to keep them appealing to tenants while remaining cost-effective for owners and developers?

Castillo: As we continue to experience a population boom and overwhelming need for suitable housing, especially in areas like Los Angeles and Orange County, developers, architects and planners must find ways to achieve high-density living solutions that are innovative and cost effective.

Some of the popular trends in urban mixed-use development that we are currently exploring include solutions like micro-units, work-force housing, communal live/work spaces, and creative ways to accommodate developments in transportation. While these solutions and communities are not meant for everyone, some renters—including Millennials and urban dwellers—find these options both attractive and affordable.

Renters find these mixed-use communities appealing because they allow urban dwellers affordable, flexible living environments in desirable locations, close to job centers and amenities that would otherwise be unattainable. Renters will forego personal space and living rooms, and instead opt for communal living areas to entertain guests. They will give up full-sized kitchens and in-unit dining rooms, since they prefer being within walking distance to retail, restaurants and dining options.

Similarly, developers are interested in ways to accommodate shifting lifestyles while achieving bottom-line success. These high-density solutions allow clients to create micro-economies by bringing together residents and retail, which co-exist harmoniously, creating a win-win-win situation for developers, residents and retail tenants.

GlobeSt.com: What are architects and planners doing to meet this shift in development needs?

Castillo: As I mentioned, architects and planners are shifting to meet this need in a number of ways, the most obvious solution being the creation of mixed-use communities that bring together retail, residential, amenities, and other uses. Creating these micro-economies not only attracts residents and tenants, but also revitalizes areas and reduces traffic by promoting better, well-connected neighborhoods.

One trend on the rise in urban locations are micro-units: compact, flex units that can be as small as 400 square feet and often feature innovative storage and furniture solutions. Micro-units cut out areas like dining or living rooms and full kitchens that come standard in a one- or two-bedroom apartments. The communities are designed with this in mind and instead offer communal areas to entertain, pocket lounges, amenities and creative-office areas. This idea of co-location has a further benefit of bringing to together like-minded city dwellers in collaborative spaces, even though their areas of work might be vastly different.

We are also seeing an increased interest in modular and pre-fabricated construction techniques, which allow for developers to construct projects piece-by-piece on an expedited construction schedule.

GlobeSt.com: What are the challenges in higher-density design, and how do architects, developers and planners meet them?

Castillo: One challenge that we often encounter is buildable urban land with outdated industrial or commercial zoning, forcing developers to re-zone for current market uses, including residential and retail. As populations continue to rise, especially in Los Angeles, new neighborhoods emerge as development hubs. Right now, we are seeing an influx in development in the historic core and fashion district as well as the arts district and Koreatown. These areas weren't always attractive to developers and potential residents, but new projects bringing housing and retail are revitalizing these areas.

Main Street Park, one project we are working on with client JADE Enterprises, is located on 11^th and Main St., straddling the SoMa and South Park districts. This mixed-use eight-story building will replace a series of one-story commercial building with almost 400 new units, office space and retail. Originally commercially zoned, this lot will offer new housing, shopping and office uses in a neighborhood becoming more and more popular to renters.

Parking is a constant challenge, perhaps even more so with high-density urban development where space is very limited. We strive to offer creative ways to deal with this challenge, from solutions like automated parking to on-site car-sharing services. In addition to being connected, walkable and transit-oriented, the key is to provide renters with easy and more desirable transportation options so they don't even need to own a car to get around. At one community in the Bay Area, we are currently designing a dedicated area for Uber and Lyft pick-up/drop-off. The idea is that having a central location and amenity-rich hub will further attract residents to use these transportation options.

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this trend?

Castillo: The fact of the matter is that in many communities and urban cities, there is a gross shortage of affordable and desirable housing options, and research shows that people are more likely to rent than buy a home. Other issues, including traffic, pollution and high cost of living further impede community development. There is no one answer for these ongoing problems and no one solution for the limited space. However, providing creative ways to design and build high-density mixed-use communities will get us closer to the goal of developing sustainable and affordable housing in urban cities.

We spoke with Castillo about these trends and how developers, architects and planners can create high-density residential developments that still meet the needs of all stakeholders.

GlobeSt.com: How do design firms approach high-density development trends in order to keep them appealing to tenants while remaining cost-effective for owners and developers?

GlobeSt.com: What are architects and planners doing to meet this shift in development needs?

GlobeSt.com: What are the challenges in higher-density design, and how do architects, developers and planners meet them?

GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about this trend?

Instant Insights /

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