Project: a small four unit apartment building

Challenges: The client has consulted with multiple architect to produce the maximum unit possible and at least three units. The client was not able to get more than two unit in which made the project unfeasible to constructed. The challenges due to the lot size being dramatically reduced by the city municipal code (e.g. setback, landscaping setback and area requirements, parking requirements, street setbacks, etc.). The client search for a firm that in known to be able to produce the maximum unit and take on the challenges with outstanding results. The result of hiring Mustafa Bdaiwi Architect is the production of the design of four units and wining the city’s approval in a city’s hearing with a vote of 7 out 7. 

The Massing: Consisting a repetitive massing (Mass 1 (yellow) and 2 (purple)). Mass 1 even it may appear not predominant yet it is equally balanced to balanced the design with it’s surrounding at an architectural approach and resolve to the urban architecture that is inherently must be adapted for in every project of every size or/and function Mass 1 (Yellow) has been creatively broken up to high light it own self and give a light appearance (use of material as glazing, balconies, shifting in mass at the rear of the building, etc.) vs the Mass 2 (purple) that must be mentioned hear that it’s roof that is perpendicular to the Mass one and placed to gradually ascend in Hight to the highest point of 38’. Mass 2 to give a back ground canvas to Mass 1 and a background that is more or less is oblige to the street front, yet it creatively insert it own presence of its own. Where the two masses working together in harmony to give a far less appearance of big mass, and rather a harmonic atmosphere and pleasant to see and an advantage to it’s surrounding diverse neighborhood. Each of those Masses as per the forgone has the language to speak, yet they are very complementary to each other and in need of each other in order to architecturally survive. Both working with each other to far enhance the neighborhood and introduce a language fully compatible with it’s neighbor and an interpretation of the diversity of the street and the neighbor hood.