Over the past 20 years, San Diego–based Jonathan Segal, FAIA, has worked to develop a unique firm that not only specializes in pioneering architecture, but also the development, construction, and management of projects. The prototype practice of the “architect as developer” bridges these several key industry roles into one.
With complete control of the design and development of its buildings, the firm aimed to construct a project that would offer a solution to California’s current affordability crisis.
“There is a shortage of apartments and especially those at a price point working-class people can afford,” says Segal, principal at the firm. “We wanted to do a demonstration project that represents what we think is currently in need in the city. If we build it, we hope that the masses of other developing communities will look at it and learn from the opportunity.”
The Continental creates housing at a price point that is 30% less than the closest competitor in the neighborhood, reduces apartment size to 400-square-foot “efficiency units,” and offers a high-quality design that also respects the environment.
The mixed-use building is composed of three main parts on the small, 5,000-square-foot site. Forty-two workforce apartments make up the multifamily portion, with five of the units dedicated to very low income and rented only to 50% AMI approved tenants. A three-bedroom, single-family residence—built for the family of Segal’s son, Matthew Segal—stands as the lower, cube-like volume in the corner, while commercial spaces, including Matthew’s wife’s pharmacy, were designated on the ground level.
Featuring a concrete and steel construction with floor-to-ceiling glazing and large, uniform balconies, the design of the structure, like other Segal projects, such as The Fort, was inspired by the father’s and son’s passion for cars. Specifically, the aluminum patterns on a 1958 Buick grille guided the design of the eye-catching, south façade.
In addition to the affordability and overall design, the project utilizes a combination of both passive and active energy-saving methods in order to limit the building’s overall energy use. A 10.2kW solar array on the roof powers the core of the building in its entirety, and an 800-square-foot planted rooftop filters rainwater and provides cooling for the single-family home below.
“It’s a really well-done project that is not easy to do,” one judge noted during the deliberations. “The sculptural composition and the attention to material and detail is at a really high level.”
Another main goal of the project was to eliminate parking, due to its ability to take up space, drive up costs, and delay construction. Instead, residents rely on the walkability of the neighborhood and public transit and, in turn, can allocate car costs back to their housing.
The building also doesn’t include typical multifamily amenities, besides a common roof deck. Laundry services were placed on the eighth floor as well to instill equality and social interaction across units.
Although the building was recently completed and is only partially occupied, the tenant base thus far is diverse—housing single mothers to elders on fixed incomes—and is encouraging for future projects of this housing typology.
