Project costs have been increasing exponentially, including A&E, high city fees, and construction, along with less tangible costs such as subjective design standards and risk of NIMBYs that work to block density. These in turn cause delays that can cost LOTS of time and money.

This project was an early example of a mini-lot subdivision, a precursor to the kind of work we’re now pursuing using SB-684.

We used a bunch of fun & creative cost-effective strategies—wood beams that extend outside, recycled wood windows, a small fountain, and gutters repurposed as planters.

Baran Studio was the architect for this 88 unit volumetric wood modular project, which is permanent housing for the homeless in downtown Oakland.

Completed in December of 2024, 1888 MLK was leased up immediately after completion by Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB).