SunShare: Modular Housing to Nourish, Shelter, and Uplift Communities

Hey there! My name is Lucas Nam, and I’m a rising sophomore attending Mountain View High School in Mountain View, California. In this Instructable, I’ll be using Autodesk software to design a community-centered modular housing system. This system integrates shared outdoor space, sustainability, recycling, and affordable living. Each unit is designed to be energy-efficient, accessible, and cost-effective. At the heart of the layout is a central garden that serves as both a community gathering space and a source of fresh food. This addresses the urgent issue of food deserts in many of our neighborhoods. This project aims to tackle both the housing crisis and the environmental challenges faced by our communities. It offers a model that is scalable, sustainable, and focused on people. I'm so excited to share SunShare, a revolutionary housing solution designed to fight food insecurity, support local jobs, and bring communities together.

1. Laptop/PC – For running 3D modeling software
2. iPad/Paper – For design sketches and ideation
3. Fusion 360 – Great 3D modeling software for both beginners and professionals
4. Autodesk Account – For saving and sharing your work

Tip: Autodesk Tools Are Free for Students

If you’re a student in the U.S., you can get free access to Autodesk software like Fusion 360 by signing up with your school email. It’s a great way to use professional tools without any cost!

I want to address both affordable housing and the growing issue of food insecurity and food deserts. California has some of the worst affordable housings in the nation and in the Bay Area, my community, there are disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity and food deserts.

What are food deserts? Food deserts are areas where people do not have access to organic fresh fruits and vegetables. As a result, people living in these areas often face higher rates of chronic preventable diseases. “In the flatlands, where the median household income is $32,000, there’s an average of one supermarket per 93,126 residents... in the Oakland Hills, where the median household income is over $58,000, there’s an average of one supermarket per 13,778 residents” (Oakland North, https://oaklandnorth.net/few-food-choices/).

Food deserts and insecurity are higher in Black communities due to historic problems. Oakland also has a growing number of homeless population due to lack of jobs. So this leads to Oakland being the choice of general location for my solution and my problem which is affordable housing aimed at solving food insecurity, reducing food deserts, and providing homeless people with jobs.

I chose the empty lot near the Lake Merritt BART station because I wanted easy and affordable transportation access from anywhere in the Bay Area. There are two large empty lots near East 12th Street and E 10th Street. After checking on Google Maps, I confirmed that they are not being used at all. Best of all, the location is only a 10-minute walk from the Lake Merritt BART station. It is also deep within one of the areas affected by food deserts, making it a strategic place to address food insecurity.

During my brainstorming and sketching process, I decided that I wanted to address the issues of food insecurity and affordable housing by designing a community-centered space. At the heart of the development is a large communal garden — possibly using hydroponics — where residents can grow fresh fruits and vegetables together. This garden not only helps combat food deserts by providing local access to healthy food, but also builds a stronger sense of community. Surrounding the garden are affordable housing units, job training facilities, and shared spaces for markets, workshops, and support services for formerly homeless individuals.

My concept for this design was about sharing the sun. To me, the sun symbolizes opportunities for growth and development, such as education, safety, nourishment, and stability. But too often, underserved communities don’t get the “sunlight” they deserve. They’re left in the shadows. This project was inspired by the idea of using mirrors to reflect and share sunlight with places that don’t naturally receive it. That concept really stuck with me and became something I’m proud to say inspired the design of this space. I wanted the layout, lighting, and energy of the community to reflect that same idea. Everyone deserves light, growth, and care.

help of Autodesk Fusion 360’s intuitive and professional tools, I was able to quickly turn my concept into reality. I started by sketching out the dimensions, then extruding the planters and housing structure. I added slanted roofs, solar panels, hydroponic gardens, doors, and windows — all designed to share sunlight or reflect it back onto the central garden.

To bring the space to life, I also added details like rooftop spikes and other architectural features. The trapezoid-shaped housing module was highly modular, making it easy to integrate custom additions. I incorporated solar panels, water collection systems, rooftop gardens, and vents — all of which made the design more adaptable, sustainable, and community-focused.

The high windows at the top of the building offer privacy while still allowing natural light to pour in, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The solar panels generate electricity during the day, providing power at night. The planters in the center of the design are strategically placed to receive reflected sunlight through the glass, enabling residents to grow fresh, organic fruits and vegetables — a meaningful solution for communities affected by food deserts. The hydroponic gardens are designed to use rainwater efficiently and can grow crops like lettuce and other leafy greens, helping promote sustainable urban farming.

To keep costs down while staying eco-conscious, I focused on using locally sourced and recycled materials. For the outer shell or framing, I considered using recycled aluminum or other repurposed metal, which is both lightweight and durable. For the planters, I would use recycled wood or salvaged lumber to reduce environmental impact. Old metal or PVC pipes could be reused for the hydroponic system, saving money and minimizing waste.

To add insulation and texture to the walls, I explored using locally sourced denim, possibly from Levi’s factory scraps, which are often donated or sold as industrial textile waste. Denim is surprisingly effective at insulating and would give the structure a unique, community-connected look. For the windows, I chose to use smart glass, which can change its transparency using electricity. With a special coating, it can also adjust reflectivity, allowing residents to control how much light enters their home or reflect it back onto the garden — maximizing energy efficiency and plant growth.

Additionally, since Oakland is surrounded by many industrial factories, it would be a great place to source materials like scrap metal, reclaimed wood, pipes, and surplus textiles. This approach supports the local economy, reduces transportation emissions, and reinforces the sustainable, low-cost goals of the garden home project.

To better visualize the final design, I used Fusion 360’s built-in rendering tools to create highly realistic images of the garden home. The software allowed me to apply accurate materials, lighting, and shadows to show how the structure would look in real life. I was able to assign materials such as recycled steel for the frame, glass for the smart windows, and wood for the planters and structural elements. I also added plants and greenery to represent the hydroponic gardens and rooftop planters, helping bring the space to life. These detailed renders highlight both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design, making it easier for others to understand its purpose, sustainability, and community impact.

Throughout this project, I learned a lot about the design process, sustainability, and how to bring an idea to life using digital tools. I’m especially grateful for Autodesk Fusion 360, which helped me model, modify, and render my vision in a professional and efficient way. I gained valuable skills in 3D modeling, rendering, and material selection, while also deepening my understanding of how design can solve real-world problems like food insecurity and affordable housing.

My original idea — SunShare, a concept centered around sharing sunlight and resources in a modular, sustainable way — was something I hoped would carry through the final design. I believe it did. This was a meaningful and rewarding learning experience, and I want to thank you so much for taking the time to view my work.