# OMA completes first 100% affordable housing project in San Francisco 160-unit development features neighborhood-sensitive design with modular wave panels. - **Source:** [Architecture news and projects | Dezeen](https://brifing.si/source/50c21201-9cc6-48e0-8a7c-6ea605af10c3) - **Published:** 2026-08-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f034e9ca-16d1-4bac-8d32-8dbf298b360e ## Architecture giant's first US affordable housing OMA New York and local firm YA Studio collaborated on 730 Stanyan, a 160-unit fully affordable housing complex in San Francisco. Located near Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury, the project serves Chinatown Community Development Center and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation. The 8-story building features a central block with light-colored facade treatment, flanked by two 4-story volumes that respect neighborhood scale. ## Context-sensitive architectural approach The design incorporates modular GFRC 'wave' panels that playfully echo the rhythm of surrounding townhomes. These panels serve dual purposes - aesthetic integration and technical functions like integrated windows and ventilation louvers. Varying panel lengths create dynamic facade expressions around courtyard cutouts. OMA partner Jason Long emphasizes their goal to maximize light, views, and shared outdoor spaces while maintaining strong community connections. ## Triple courtyard configuration The development features three distinct ground-level courtyards: a deep U-shaped entrance courtyard facing the street, plus two more square courtyards abutting neighboring buildings. GLS Landscape Architecture designed these outdoor spaces to enhance resident experience. The entrance courtyard's glazed ground floor brings natural light into circulation spaces while providing visual connection to the park across the street. ## Family-oriented unit mix Over 50% of units are two- and three-bedroom apartments designed for family living. Strategic corner placements allow efficient apartment layouts with park views. Interior spaces feature high ceilings and minimal detailing, with exposed circular concrete columns becoming architectural elements. Rooftop patios on the four-story sections provide additional outdoor amenities. ## Industrial design elements Public areas showcase OMA's industrial design vocabulary through gridded metal ceiling plates. Glass-lined circulation spaces strengthen indoor-outdoor connections. The exposed structural columns create visual continuity between private and communal spaces. These design choices balance aesthetic appeal with functional durability appropriate for affordable housing. ## Innovative material solutions GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) panels enable the facade's dramatic curves while offering durability and low maintenance. The project team included specialists like Clark-Pacific for facade systems, Thornton Tomasetti for sustainability consulting, and Dot Dash for lighting design. This collaborative approach ensured both design quality and long-term performance within budget constraints. ## Model for urban transformation 730 Stanyan joins notable affordable housing projects like Herzog & de Meuron's New York development and Studio Libeskind's Brooklyn work. It demonstrates how high-quality design can elevate social housing while addressing urban needs. Built by Cahill + Hercules Joint Venture, the project represents a significant step in San Francisco's response to its housing crisis. ## Architectural legacy with social impact As OMA's first 100% affordable housing project in the US, 730 Stanyan sets a benchmark for design excellence in social infrastructure. Beyond providing housing for low-income families, it enhances neighborhood character near Golden Gate Park. The project contributes to global discussions about equitable urban development, proving that affordability and architectural innovation can coexist. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/08/18/730-stanyan-oma-affordable-housing-san-francisco-ya-studio/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._