MattBaran
@mattbaran.bsky.social
Architect. Developer. AIA. NCARB. Founder @ Baran Studio. Professor @ USF, AAU, UCB ARCH & MREDD. Posts on design, construction, R.E., entrepreneurship & tech.
OAK. LAX. DTW. LAS.
www.baranstudio.com
OAK. LAX. DTW. LAS.
www.baranstudio.com
Pinned
MattBaran
@mattbaran.bsky.social
· Oct 12
SB-684 projects are now moving forward in CA. They seem to increase density in an effort to increase supply and decrease housing costs.
Bordertown is one of the first mini-lot subdivisions that Baran Studio completed, and it pre-dates SB-684.
Bordertown is one of the first mini-lot subdivisions that Baran Studio completed, and it pre-dates SB-684.
Construction has STARTED!
This 2 unit fee simple subdivision is the FIRST all-new development the City of Berkeley has approved under SB 684 🏘️
We used 100% the underlying R-2 Zoning to qualify for state law that reduces most lot requirements… ⬇️
This 2 unit fee simple subdivision is the FIRST all-new development the City of Berkeley has approved under SB 684 🏘️
We used 100% the underlying R-2 Zoning to qualify for state law that reduces most lot requirements… ⬇️
November 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Construction has STARTED!
This 2 unit fee simple subdivision is the FIRST all-new development the City of Berkeley has approved under SB 684 🏘️
We used 100% the underlying R-2 Zoning to qualify for state law that reduces most lot requirements… ⬇️
This 2 unit fee simple subdivision is the FIRST all-new development the City of Berkeley has approved under SB 684 🏘️
We used 100% the underlying R-2 Zoning to qualify for state law that reduces most lot requirements… ⬇️
We know increasing supply is key to lowering the cost of housing. SB-1123 can help.
Here’s the process for 1123 feasibility that I’ve been running with developers all over California🧵⬇️
Hope it helps!
Pictured below: AI Render of SB-1123 test fit for 6 units on an R-1 Lot in Los Angeles
Here’s the process for 1123 feasibility that I’ve been running with developers all over California🧵⬇️
Hope it helps!
Pictured below: AI Render of SB-1123 test fit for 6 units on an R-1 Lot in Los Angeles
October 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
We know increasing supply is key to lowering the cost of housing. SB-1123 can help.
Here’s the process for 1123 feasibility that I’ve been running with developers all over California🧵⬇️
Hope it helps!
Pictured below: AI Render of SB-1123 test fit for 6 units on an R-1 Lot in Los Angeles
Here’s the process for 1123 feasibility that I’ve been running with developers all over California🧵⬇️
Hope it helps!
Pictured below: AI Render of SB-1123 test fit for 6 units on an R-1 Lot in Los Angeles
Check out this interactive map that shows how SB-79 will (may?) play out across the state.
Link below.
Link below.
October 11, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Check out this interactive map that shows how SB-79 will (may?) play out across the state.
Link below.
Link below.
“The economic conditions kind of override everything”
Even less would be built if it weren’t for new state laws. California is consistently outpaced by other states and the country as a whole. Affordability continues to suffer. The shortage is deepening and prices are set to skyrocket.
Even less would be built if it weren’t for new state laws. California is consistently outpaced by other states and the country as a whole. Affordability continues to suffer. The shortage is deepening and prices are set to skyrocket.
September 26, 2025 at 4:51 PM
“The economic conditions kind of override everything”
Even less would be built if it weren’t for new state laws. California is consistently outpaced by other states and the country as a whole. Affordability continues to suffer. The shortage is deepening and prices are set to skyrocket.
Even less would be built if it weren’t for new state laws. California is consistently outpaced by other states and the country as a whole. Affordability continues to suffer. The shortage is deepening and prices are set to skyrocket.
If you believe I belong to one “side” or the other:
You may be suffering from a cognitive distortion called dichotomous thinking. It leads people to see life as a battle between pure good and pure evil, victims and oppressors, safe and unsafe.
You may be suffering from a cognitive distortion called dichotomous thinking. It leads people to see life as a battle between pure good and pure evil, victims and oppressors, safe and unsafe.
September 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
If you believe I belong to one “side” or the other:
You may be suffering from a cognitive distortion called dichotomous thinking. It leads people to see life as a battle between pure good and pure evil, victims and oppressors, safe and unsafe.
You may be suffering from a cognitive distortion called dichotomous thinking. It leads people to see life as a battle between pure good and pure evil, victims and oppressors, safe and unsafe.
This CA SB-684 project was approved for West Oakland last week.
This one has been through a lot. Multiple owners, multiple entitlements, multiple permits.
Really hoping it sticks this time because there aren’t many people building in Oakland, and that’s going to have an impact down the road.
This one has been through a lot. Multiple owners, multiple entitlements, multiple permits.
Really hoping it sticks this time because there aren’t many people building in Oakland, and that’s going to have an impact down the road.
September 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
This CA SB-684 project was approved for West Oakland last week.
This one has been through a lot. Multiple owners, multiple entitlements, multiple permits.
Really hoping it sticks this time because there aren’t many people building in Oakland, and that’s going to have an impact down the road.
This one has been through a lot. Multiple owners, multiple entitlements, multiple permits.
Really hoping it sticks this time because there aren’t many people building in Oakland, and that’s going to have an impact down the road.
You get what you pay for…
Quality matters, but not everything calls for the highest quality.
Matching quality to context is essential.
In a development deal, if you over-build you’ll never recapture the expense. If you under-build you leave money on the table.
Finding a balance is key.
Quality matters, but not everything calls for the highest quality.
Matching quality to context is essential.
In a development deal, if you over-build you’ll never recapture the expense. If you under-build you leave money on the table.
Finding a balance is key.
August 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
You get what you pay for…
Quality matters, but not everything calls for the highest quality.
Matching quality to context is essential.
In a development deal, if you over-build you’ll never recapture the expense. If you under-build you leave money on the table.
Finding a balance is key.
Quality matters, but not everything calls for the highest quality.
Matching quality to context is essential.
In a development deal, if you over-build you’ll never recapture the expense. If you under-build you leave money on the table.
Finding a balance is key.
Neighbors often tell you that if you had just notified them, they would have been nicer.
In my experience that’s not the case.
They’re almost always angry about change.
(Photo of our Chapman project in Jingletown. Ask me about the neighbors!)
In my experience that’s not the case.
They’re almost always angry about change.
(Photo of our Chapman project in Jingletown. Ask me about the neighbors!)
May 27, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Neighbors often tell you that if you had just notified them, they would have been nicer.
In my experience that’s not the case.
They’re almost always angry about change.
(Photo of our Chapman project in Jingletown. Ask me about the neighbors!)
In my experience that’s not the case.
They’re almost always angry about change.
(Photo of our Chapman project in Jingletown. Ask me about the neighbors!)
Yesterday I asked Ai for Berkeley code that allows for averaging of front setbacks in an R-2 zone.
It sent me the Missing Middle Ordinance. I said that’s not adopted yet.
It said ok here’s code section 23.304.030. I said that’s for MULI zones.
Then it just went into a loop. Section 3.33333…
It sent me the Missing Middle Ordinance. I said that’s not adopted yet.
It said ok here’s code section 23.304.030. I said that’s for MULI zones.
Then it just went into a loop. Section 3.33333…
May 27, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Yesterday I asked Ai for Berkeley code that allows for averaging of front setbacks in an R-2 zone.
It sent me the Missing Middle Ordinance. I said that’s not adopted yet.
It said ok here’s code section 23.304.030. I said that’s for MULI zones.
Then it just went into a loop. Section 3.33333…
It sent me the Missing Middle Ordinance. I said that’s not adopted yet.
It said ok here’s code section 23.304.030. I said that’s for MULI zones.
Then it just went into a loop. Section 3.33333…
Last week I walked this 100k prefab SFD / ADU in North Hollywood.
The guy who makes them placed 4 on his property as part of an SB-9 deal. He estimates install cost for all 4 units was another 100k.
All in 500k. For 4 units.
The guy who makes them placed 4 on his property as part of an SB-9 deal. He estimates install cost for all 4 units was another 100k.
All in 500k. For 4 units.
May 26, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Last week I walked this 100k prefab SFD / ADU in North Hollywood.
The guy who makes them placed 4 on his property as part of an SB-9 deal. He estimates install cost for all 4 units was another 100k.
All in 500k. For 4 units.
The guy who makes them placed 4 on his property as part of an SB-9 deal. He estimates install cost for all 4 units was another 100k.
All in 500k. For 4 units.
The Baran Studio Density Guide provides a framework for unlocking housing capacity through replicable, policy-aligned design strategies.
We break down key mechanisms like ministerial approvals, subdivision reforms, and ADU policy shifts into deployable tactics across diverse site types.
Link👇🏼
We break down key mechanisms like ministerial approvals, subdivision reforms, and ADU policy shifts into deployable tactics across diverse site types.
Link👇🏼
May 16, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The Baran Studio Density Guide provides a framework for unlocking housing capacity through replicable, policy-aligned design strategies.
We break down key mechanisms like ministerial approvals, subdivision reforms, and ADU policy shifts into deployable tactics across diverse site types.
Link👇🏼
We break down key mechanisms like ministerial approvals, subdivision reforms, and ADU policy shifts into deployable tactics across diverse site types.
Link👇🏼
This level of stupid is difficult to comprehend.
May 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This level of stupid is difficult to comprehend.
Reposted by MattBaran
"In 2020, [Portland, OR] approved building [middle housing] on lots zoned for single family homes... A new report from the City says, it's working. 1,400 new units built in just a few years and each one is $300,000 less expensive than a typical single family home." @nbcnews.com
May 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"In 2020, [Portland, OR] approved building [middle housing] on lots zoned for single family homes... A new report from the City says, it's working. 1,400 new units built in just a few years and each one is $300,000 less expensive than a typical single family home." @nbcnews.com
Great time at UC Berkeley MREDD final reviews yesterday.
One of the most interesting presentations showed how housing in Rockridge would not pencil under current zoning regulations, even with new state law or density bonuses.
One of the most interesting presentations showed how housing in Rockridge would not pencil under current zoning regulations, even with new state law or density bonuses.
April 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Great time at UC Berkeley MREDD final reviews yesterday.
One of the most interesting presentations showed how housing in Rockridge would not pencil under current zoning regulations, even with new state law or density bonuses.
One of the most interesting presentations showed how housing in Rockridge would not pencil under current zoning regulations, even with new state law or density bonuses.
Reposted by MattBaran
Read the whole thing.
April 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Read the whole thing.
Which of these will most help convince developers to build in California again?
A. Permit Streamlining
B. Upzoning
C. Single Stair Buildings
D. More Bike Lanes
A. Permit Streamlining
B. Upzoning
C. Single Stair Buildings
D. More Bike Lanes
April 28, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Which of these will most help convince developers to build in California again?
A. Permit Streamlining
B. Upzoning
C. Single Stair Buildings
D. More Bike Lanes
A. Permit Streamlining
B. Upzoning
C. Single Stair Buildings
D. More Bike Lanes
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.
April 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
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 is how you get elected.
Promise things that sound great and people will love, like making housing cheap or free.
Then enact policies that ultimately make housing more expensive.
You can always blame developers later.
Promise things that sound great and people will love, like making housing cheap or free.
Then enact policies that ultimately make housing more expensive.
You can always blame developers later.
April 22, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This is how you get elected.
Promise things that sound great and people will love, like making housing cheap or free.
Then enact policies that ultimately make housing more expensive.
You can always blame developers later.
Promise things that sound great and people will love, like making housing cheap or free.
Then enact policies that ultimately make housing more expensive.
You can always blame developers later.
These people said I ruined their neighborhood character and ran me out of town!
April 18, 2025 at 3:55 PM
These people said I ruined their neighborhood character and ran me out of town!
I’m now officially a “Palisades Fire Incident Contractor”. Not sure whether the fact I was able to obtain this permit is a sign of progress—or the fact I needed it at all a symptom of the opposite.
March 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I’m now officially a “Palisades Fire Incident Contractor”. Not sure whether the fact I was able to obtain this permit is a sign of progress—or the fact I needed it at all a symptom of the opposite.
Reposted by MattBaran
Reposted by MattBaran
"Filtering" is very important to understanding the impacts of new market-rate development, but the term seems to be used to describe two different things.
Today, I discuss two kinds of "filtering" in housing (and recent economic research on each topic)
pencillingout.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
Today, I discuss two kinds of "filtering" in housing (and recent economic research on each topic)
pencillingout.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
What do we mean when we say "filtering?"
Distinguishing between two different housing market dynamics
pencillingout.substack.com
March 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
"Filtering" is very important to understanding the impacts of new market-rate development, but the term seems to be used to describe two different things.
Today, I discuss two kinds of "filtering" in housing (and recent economic research on each topic)
pencillingout.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
Today, I discuss two kinds of "filtering" in housing (and recent economic research on each topic)
pencillingout.substack.com/p/what-do-we...
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.
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.
March 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by MattBaran
1 in 7 U.S. homes are now uninsured—many in high-risk markets. As premiums skyrocket, this trend is reshaping buyer behavior and increasing exposure for investors. Here’s what you need to know:
danielkaufmanreal.estate/2025/03/26/1...
danielkaufmanreal.estate/2025/03/26/1...
1 in 7 U.S. Homes Are Now Uninsured—Here’s Why That’s a Growing Risk for Buyers and Investors
By Daniel Kaufman A new report reveals a startling statistic: more than 11 million homes across the U.S. are currently uninsured, representing roughly 1 in every 7 owner-occupied homes. As home ins…
danielkaufmanreal.estate
March 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
1 in 7 U.S. homes are now uninsured—many in high-risk markets. As premiums skyrocket, this trend is reshaping buyer behavior and increasing exposure for investors. Here’s what you need to know:
danielkaufmanreal.estate/2025/03/26/1...
danielkaufmanreal.estate/2025/03/26/1...
Reposted by MattBaran
Registration for YIMBYTown 2025 is open. I've been to many conferences related to cities/housing, and this one is my favorite—engaging sessions (i.e. not all talks/panels), walks and bicycle rides, happy hours, etc. If you're at all interested in pro-housing advocacy, you must attend! yimby.town
YIMBYtown 2025
YIMBYtown is the biggest national pro-homes conference in the country and we’re thrilled it is coming back to New England, just in time for the beautiful fall weather.
yimby.town
March 25, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Registration for YIMBYTown 2025 is open. I've been to many conferences related to cities/housing, and this one is my favorite—engaging sessions (i.e. not all talks/panels), walks and bicycle rides, happy hours, etc. If you're at all interested in pro-housing advocacy, you must attend! yimby.town