From the Studio
July was a productive month for ideas at AVRP Studios. We published seven pieces this month covering the topics we believe matter most to developers, planners, civic leaders, and fellow architects working in San Diego today: the multifamily gap, mixed-use design, K–12 education, affordable housing, healthcare architecture, our firm’s approaching half-century, and sustainable design. We hope at least one of those pieces gave you something to bookmark, forward, or argue with. That’s the point.
As we head into August, here is a brief look back — and a preview of what we are tracking for next month.
July Recap: What We Published
San Diego’s Missing Middle Multifamily pipeline, RHNA gap, Complete CommunitiesJul 10
The Wedge: Ground-Floor Lessons Mixed-use design, ground-floor activationJul 15
Designing for the Next Generation K–12 school architecture, DSA, SDUSD modernizationJul 17
Affordable Housing: Projects That Have to Pencil LIHTC, YIGBY, affordable housing financeJul 22
Healthcare Architecture at Scale Sharp Healthcare portfolio, HCAI compliance, patient designJul 24
Nearly 50 Years Designing San Diego Firm history, leadership, design valuesJul 29
Sustainable Design — An Environmental Question Title 24 2025, sustainability as design value
San Diego Watch: What We Are Following in August
Three policy and market developments are on AVRP’s radar as we move into August 2026:
- SDUSD Kearny Mesa Headquarters Progress. AVRP is leading the design of the new San Diego Unified School District administrative headquarters in Kearny Mesa — the district’s largest single capital project in years. Watch for permitting milestones and community design presentations in Q3 2026.
- Amara Bay, Chula Vista. AVRP is the design architect for this 1,500-unit waterfront community on San Diego Bay. As the entitlement process advances through 2026, this project will define what large-scale mixed-use residential development looks like on San Diego’s South Bay waterfront for the next generation.
- 7th Cycle RHNA Preparation. California’s 7th Housing Element cycle (covering 2029–2037) is beginning to take shape at the state level. SANDAG and City of San Diego planning staff are already engaged in early scoping. The 7th cycle RHNA allocation for the region is expected to be equal to or larger than the 6th cycle’s 171,685 units. Developers and planners should begin tracking this now.
Coming in August
Next month, The San Diego Blueprint will cover:
- ADU design in San Diego: what the data says and what good ADU architecture actually looks like
- Community college campus design: AVRP’s work at Riverside Community College and the Cal Poly SLO Center of Construction Excellence
- Workplace design in a post-pandemic San Diego: what tenants want and what landlords need to deliver
- A deep dive on the Coronado Yacht Club redevelopment — AVRP’s $18.5M Port of San Diego project now advancing through approvals
About AVRP Studios
Celebrating nearly 50 years of creativity and achievement, AVRP Studios has designed billions of dollars’ worth of projects throughout the United States and internationally. The firm’s principals have earned more than 135 design awards for work spanning urban infill, housing, education, corporate, multigenerational, and healthcare spaces. AVRP is led by Douglas H. Austin, FAIA, LEED AP, MAIBC; Christopher T. Veum, AAIA, IIDA; and Randy Robbins, AIA.
Learn more at avrpstudios.com or connect with the team to discuss your next project.
Media Contact: Tony Manolatos — tony@manolatospa.com