Model Middle Housing
Yasmin Vobis, Professor
Architecture
Applications for Fall 2026 are closed for this project.
While much recent attention has been spent on planning and policy around housing, relatively little has been paid to the impact of these issues on architecture. This design research project seeks to develop design-forward, low-cost housing solutions to match the ambitious policy changes implemented by the City of Berkeley in November 2025 and under consideration in municipalities across California.
This project seeks to develop a low-cost design prototype as a means of developing realistic, design-driven solutions to the ongoing housing affordability crisis. The prototype offers a replicable design solution for a 4-8 unit, small scale multifamily dwelling on a standard residential lot. The design extends our ongoing design and research work on very-low-cost construction methods, directly addressing the opportunity created by Berkeley’s model “missing middle” zoning regulations in the California context. The research is advised by a Berkeley-based developer as a means of connecting design speculation to real-world budgeting and construction constraints. The design prototype will be disseminated via publication to inform future middle housing proposals by architects and developers in Berkeley and beyond as similar ordinances are adopted by other municipalities. The design may also form part of an exhibition and/or symposium of the Design Futures projects in Spring 2027.
This project is co-led by Principal Investigators Yasmin Vobis and Aaron Forrest (Architecture faculty + Ultramoderne co-principals).
Role: The research apprentice(s) will closely collaborate with the Co-PI’s to further develop the middle housing prototype and its representation. Tasks may include:
- The production of high-quality physical models for design development and dissemination materials.
- The production of architectural drawings that further the spatial, structural, site, and material strategies of the prototype. These may include advanced drawings such as wall sections, details, axonometric drawings, site diagrams and renderings.
- Exhibition support, including layout, printing, and installation work.
The development of the booklet for dissemination.
Learning Outcomes. The research apprentice(s) will gain experience working on an architectural design that engages real-world constraints with a high degree of experimentation. Moreover, they will be exposed to the many aspects of architectural design, from code review, spatial design, structural design and detailing, to gain an understanding of how progressive design ideas can respond to the local construction context and regulatory environment.
Qualifications: Applicants should be confident architectural designers with advanced design, communication, model-making and drawing skills. Applicants should be proficient in the use of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, along with Rhino 3D software. Preference will be given to architecture majors entering their senior year.
To be considered for the position, please submit a short design portfolio to yvobis@berkeley.edu by August 31st in addition to the application via the URAP portal.
Hours: 9-11 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: 2571 Shattuck Ave #4, Berkeley CA 94704
Related website: https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/faculty/yasmin-vobis
Related website: www.ultramoderne.net