OpenScope Studio

05/20/2026

OpenScope Studio has been advocating for office to residential conversions in San Francisco for years, going back to Mark's involvement with Planning Code modifications under Mayor Breed and Board President Peskin that removed discretionary elements from the conversion process. The newest policy change might be the thing that makes these projects feasible in San Francisco. Learn more about the Downtown Financing District here: https://openscopestudio.com/downtown-revitalization-financing-district/

Learn how SF's Downtown Revitalization Financing District pays property owners annually for up to 30 years when converting offices to housing. Eligibility, formulas, and deadlines explained.

03/28/2025

SB 684 and SB 1123 refine the rules for lot splits and open up more ownership models—including co-ops, community land trusts, and tenancy in common. These bills build on the promise of SB 9 while addressing some of its biggest limitations.

We break down what these new laws mean for vacant and underutilized lots—and how they could reshape infill housing across the state. Read more here ⬇️

California’s housing shortage has been a persistent challenge, with a deficit of nearly 3.5 million homes statewide. This crisis is not just a numbers game; it’s a reflection of systemic regulatory and zoning barriers that have long hindered innovative, small-scale developments. Senate Bill 684 ...

11/14/2024

California’s AB 1893 is now in effect, changing how the builder’s remedy can be applied across the state. Learn what this update means for future development projects in our latest blog post.

AB 1893 is a key update to the builder's remedy, allowing to bypass local zoning restrictions in areas where housing production has lagged

10/10/2024

San Francisco's new adaptive reuse guidelines are set to reshape how we convert commercial buildings into residential spaces. 🏢➡️🏡 Discover how these changes unlock new opportunities for developers, architects, and the city’s housing market in our latest blog post!

San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection (DBI) has released a detailed set of adaptive reuse guidelines designed to streamline the conversion of office spaces into multi-family residential buildings.

09/25/2024

California continues to reshape housing with SB 1211! 🏘️ Now, multifamily property owners can add up to 8 detached ADUs per lot, transforming unused spaces into much-needed housing. Ready to learn how this new legislation opens up creative opportunities for increasing density? Check out our latest blog for all the details!

Multifamily property with potential space for detached ADUs under California's SB 1211, offering opportunities for increased housing density.

09/19/2024

We recently completed the remodel of a 1,900-square-foot garden-level unit in a classic Victorian. By reworking garage and storage spaces, the apartment was reoriented to focus on garden views, with a new wood workshop and direct access to the backyard. The redesign created private en-suite bedrooms, and the addition of French doors brought more connection to the outdoor space. Our client, a former furniture maker, crafted custom wood finishes that balance the home’s Victorian roots with a modern feel.

09/17/2024

We're passionate about finding ways to build higher quality, affordable urban housing. Check out the latest on our blog on why San Francisco needs to allow single stair apartments, with a design for our typical 25' wide residential lots.

Single stair buildings are a valuable housing type that is common in cities across the world and San Francisco could consider it as well

09/04/2024

Approved with compliments! Our design for a two-story, 2,183-square-foot home in Richmond’s East Bay has been approved by the Design Review Board, who praised its thoughtful connection between the industrial area to the east and the single-family neighborhood to the west. Excited to see this unique project come to life — stay tuned for more updates!

07/16/2024

📢 New Revisions to LA’s Affordable Housing Directive!

Mayor Karen Bass has issued the third revision to Executive Directive 1 (ED1), effective July 1, 2024. This update strengthens tenant protections, enhances design and safety standards, and streamlines approval processes for affordable housing projects. The aim is to address past criticisms and ensure thoughtful, sustainable development across Los Angeles.

Learn more about these changes in our latest blog post.

Mayor Karen Bass' 3rd Revision to Executive Directive 1 (ED1) to address affordable housing in Los Angeles

04/11/2024

Recently, Principal Ian Dunn had the opportunity to speak with the Solana Beach community, sharing insights on ADU design, local ordinances, state requirements and the process of bringing these units to life. The presentation covered everything from design basics to the nitty-gritty of planning and permitting.

It was a great experience to engage with community members and discuss the potential of ADUs in Solana Beach.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the conversation. We're looking forward to more discussions like this!