Reducing Car Dependence Through Smart Housing

Hello, my name is Edward Torres and I am currently an engineering technician student at Miracosta's TCI program. For this project, I chose to explore solutions at the intersection of affordable housing and sustainable transportation. For my class, I had two weeks to develop a conceptual design that aims to reduce car dependency while expanding housing opportunities to help address rising cost and address the limited housing supply in Southern California. My motivation for this project was to help build healthier communities by prioritizing walkable and bikable environments, giving people realistic alternatives to car travel, and supporting a higher quality of life.

For this project, I challenged myself to explore the suite of Autodesk tools to push the boundaries of my current skillset. I began my design process in Formit, the ease of use of Formit gave me the freedom to mess with some design possibilities. Next I decided to try to learn Revit to really immerse myself in the architectural practice of my design, but I quickly found out the that Revit has a really steep learning curve and transitioned my focus to easier to work with tools. I then used autoCAD to create some simple floor plans. To move beyond the screen, I brought my concept into Fusion 360 to prepare files for physical prototyping. I would then use the Ultimaker S5 to 3d print my model. With the use of these tools I was hoping to mimic a real architectural practice and all the hard work that goes into making a building.

In developing this concept, I focused on how thoughtful housing design can actively promote walking, cycling and strengthen community connections. My project proposes a mixed-income development the helps bridge social divides and hopefully bring residents a better quality of life. I looked at examples of bike-friendly neighborhoods and researched basic best practices for affordable housing design, paying special attention to ways to reduce car dependence. Walkable, transit-connected neighborhoods have been shown to improve public health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen local economies. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, communities that support walking and biking see increased safety, reduced household transportation costs, and higher physical activity rates. A review of hundreds of studies by UC Davis found that investing in active transportation can generate up to $5 in economic and health benefits for every $1 spent, while car-dependent cities typically suffer from higher infrastructure costs, social isolation, and unequal access to jobs and services. Additionally, a national poll from PeopleForBikes showed that 62% of Americans would bike more if protected bike infrastructure existed in their community.

Works Cited:

1. United States Department of Transportation. Active Transportation: Connecting America with Safe, Convenient Walking and Bicycling. U.S. Department of Transportation, www.transportation.gov/mission/office-secretary/office-policy/active-transportation/active-transportation. Accessed 3 July 2025.
2. Handy, Susan, et al. Active Transportation Benefit-Cost Tool Literature Review. National Center for Sustainable Transportation, University of California, Davis, Jan. 2022, https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/research-product/caltrans-active-transportation-benefit-cost-tool-literature-review. Accessed 3 July 2025.
3. Alonzo, Austin. “NWA Has Room to Improve on ‘Best Places to Bike’ List.” Axios, 30 June 2025, www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/06/30/northwest-arkansas-cities-bike-network-rankings. Accessed 3 July 2025.

For this project, I selected a dual-lot site located in Oceanside, positioned strategically near a high school, multiple bus stops and within close walking distance of the Coaster rail station and a major bust transit hub. This location offers residents good access to public transportation, making it possible for residents to maintain a car lite lifestyle. Placing affordable, mixed-income housing in such a transit-rich environment helps reduce transportation costs, lower carbon emissions, and helps support an active healthy lifestyle.

The dual lot nature of my site heavily inspired my design choices throughout the project. I decided to design a dual apartment complex that connect mid-air, reminiscent of some towers seen in Asia. I also wanted to include a park on top of the building to have a place where residents can get some fresh air and relax. This additions would help make the apartment complex into an environment that promotes an active lifestyle while fostering a sense of community. I also drew strong inspiration form the work of Tadao Ando, a self-taught architect whose minimalist concrete forms balance elegance, durability, and harmony. I started my design process on paper and did some quick sketches that resembled what I had mentioned. I then move on to formit which also quickly help give some quick design iterations. I think moved on to Fusion 360 which I was I more familiar with and which led to the physical prototype. Finally I used FreeCAD to give me another perspective of my design and help further iterate on my building. This design aims to build an environment where people feel welcomed, inspired and part of a healthier community, while respecting the environment around them through efficient, long-lasting materials and minimalistic, purposeful forms.

The floor plans prioritizes simplicity, efficiency, and accessibility while reflecting a thoughtful, systems-based approach to affordable housing. Organizing units around a central vertical core makes wayfinding clear and supports universal design, while the inclusion of a community center and gathering point help to foster community. Generous window placements and passive ventilation corridors promote comfort while minimizing energy use, aligning with sustainable building practices. While the floor plan presented here is conceptual rather than fully detailed, it reflects a clear layout strategy that balances efficiency, accessibility, and community use. Due to time constraints and the scope of this two-week project, I prioritized form over interior detailing.

To bring this concept to life physically, I created a 3D-printed model that captures the essential shape and site relationships of the design. Due to time and equipment limitations at school, I simplified some of the finer details, but preserved the overall layout, scale, and key architectural features. I used the Ultimaker S5 to produce the print efficiently in 3 stages, and enhance its appearance by gluing on printed paper motifs and images which adds dimension and clarity in a quick, practical way. This hands-on prototype supports the design process by letting me visualize proportions, test spatial arrangements, and communicate ideas more effectively with others. Even with a simplified print, this step demonstrates real-world relevance, creative problem solving, and an understanding of how digital models can translate into tangible outcomes, a key part of developing an engineering mindset.

In just two weeks, I set out to explore how thoughtful, affordable housing can support healthier, more connected communities in Oceanside. By combining lessons from minimalist design and proven active transportation strategies, I developed a concept that prioritizes bikeability, public transit access, and social integration, especially for lower-income residents. Through the use of Autodesk tools, I modeled, analyzed, and physically prototyped this project to test its possibilities beyond the screen. Despite time and resource constraints, I believe I have created a design that is practical, resilient, and respectful of both people and place. Ultimately, I believe this concept shows how architecture and engineering can work hand in hand to build more sustainable, welcoming, and equitable neighborhoods, and I look forward to developing these ideas even further in future work.