4 Unit Multi-Family Residential Project
4 Unit Multi-Family Residential - Infill Development in Anaheim, CA designed by licensed architect Mustafa Bdaiwi of MBARCHAA. An innovative 4-unit apartment building designed to maximize density on a challenging infill site in Anaheim. Through creative massing strategies and architectural solutions, this project successfully achieved 4 units where other firms could only produce 2, making the development economically feasible while meeting all municipal code requirements.
- Project type
- 4 Unit Multi-Family Residential - Infill Development
- City
- Anaheim, CA
- Category
- Commercial
- Year
- 2024
- Role
- Principal Architect
- Size
- 6,500 sq ft site (50' x 132'), RM4 zoned for medium density residential
- Living space
- Four residential units designed for maximum efficiency and livability
Design approach
Strategic massing design using repetitive masses to balance architectural character with urban context while maximizing allowable density within strict municipal constraints
Program
Located on an infill lot in Anaheim bounded by two streets and an alley. The site presents significant challenges due to municipal setback requirements, landscaping requirements, and parking mandates that dramatically reduce buildable area. Previous architectural consultants were unable to achieve more than 2 units, making the project economically unfeasible.
Design features
Repetitive massing strategy using Mass 1 (yellow) and Mass 2 (purple) elements, creative unit layouts maximizing square footage, strategic placement to meet all setback requirements, efficient parking solutions, landscaping integration meeting code requirements, balconies and glazing elements providing visual lightness.
Public spaces
Entry areas designed for security and accessibility, common circulation spaces meeting egress requirements, landscaped areas satisfying municipal requirements, parking areas efficiently integrated into site design.
Private spaces
Four residential units each designed for optimal space utilization, private outdoor spaces including balconies, individual utility connections, storage solutions integrated into unit designs.
Support spaces
Required parking spaces meeting municipal ratios, utility areas for building systems, trash and recycling storage areas, landscaped setbacks meeting municipal requirements.
Outdoor spaces
Strategic landscape design meeting setback requirements, private balconies for units, efficient vehicular circulation and parking, pedestrian access from street frontages.
Structure
Multi-family residential construction designed for efficiency and code compliance
Systems
Standard residential building systems optimized for multi-unit configuration, utility connections for each unit, parking and access systems meeting accessibility requirements
Sustainability
Efficient building orientation, natural lighting optimization, space-efficient design reducing overall environmental impact, landscaping supporting local climate conditions
Design challenges
Achieving 4 units where other firms could only produce 2 units, navigating complex municipal setback requirements, meeting landscaping area mandates, providing required parking within constrained site, balancing economic feasibility with architectural quality, addressing urban infill context with appropriate massing strategies
Services provided
- Architecture
- Planning
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