# Sociable Apartment Complexes This Affordable Apartment Building Incorporates Color and Playfulness By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-09-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/affordable-apartment References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2014/09/16/2802-pico-housing-by-moore-ruble-yudell/) & [moorerubleyudell](http://www.moorerubleyudell.com/) The latest project by Moore Ruble Yudell Architects, '2802 Pico Housing,' is an affordable apartment complex located in Santa Monica, California. The building holds 33 inexpensive units, organized around a [dynamic courtyard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modal-home). The central dilemma was attempting to fit these units between two zoning districts, each with their own set of requirements and challenges. Considering these complex limitations, it's quite a feat that the architects were able to design such an effective, efficient and engaging set of residences. The home's exterior is just as intriguing as its interior; the architects wanted to enhance interaction and communication by adding a [community room](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/street-clubhouse). More over, the courtyard functions as the social hub of the building, featuring stairs, bridges and walkways that foster a social spirit. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Affordable Housing Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative ways to design affordable housing units that are effective, efficient, and engaging. - **Incorporating Community Spaces:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new concepts for apartment buildings that include community rooms and dynamic courtyards to enhance interaction and foster a social spirit. - **Sustainable and Playful Architecture:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine sustainability and playful design elements, such as stairs, bridges, and walkways, to create visually intriguing and socially engaging apartment complexes. ### Where This Applies - **Real Estate:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the real estate industry by focusing on affordable housing and incorporating community spaces in building designs. - **Architecture and Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Drive innovation in the field of architecture and design by exploring sustainable and playful approaches to housing design. - **Urban Planning:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Rethink urban planning strategies to create affordable apartment complexes that maximize use of space, while promoting social interaction and communication. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Housing Collective Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-comunidad-habitacional.md) - [Art Deco Affordable Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-brea-affordable-housing.md) - [Layered Community Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barrington1503.md) - [Bright Three-Story Apartment Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axolotl.md) - [Lush Garden Housing Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/volante.md) - [Ultra-Colorful High-Density Residential Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/highdensity-residential-design.md) - [Colorful Social Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/van-sinderen-plaza.md) - [Alternative Housing Co-Living Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bay-state-cohousing.md) - [Pastel Tonal Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/regensburg-quarter.md)