Kapuso at the Upper Yard

Kapuso—Tagalog for “one at heart”—demonstrates how affordable housing can advance equity, climate action, and community connection. By transforming an underused parking lot at Balboa Park Station into 131 all-electric homes, the project anchors families and workers near transit and opportunity. The ground floor pulses with life: a youth arts hub, childcare center, and community-run bike shop are designed with adaptable infrastructure to foster local wealth and long-term tenant resilience. 

Technical rigor defines the approach to sustainability. As one of the Bay Area’s first all-electric affordable projects, the design integrates a high-performing envelope with a low window-to-wall ratio, balancing daylighting with thermal stability. Measured airtightness exceeds LEED targets, while central MERV 13 filtration protects occupants inside from freeway pollution and wildfire smoke events. Two years of occupancy data confirm a measured EUI of 15.2 kBtu/SF/yr—performing 8% better than the 2030 Challenge benchmark. 

The project strove to catalyze industry-wide innovation through a piloted JEDI program with nearby Balboa High School students interested in design and construction, as well as an open-source “Sustainable Wood Sourcing” R+D project which seeks to reimagine wood specifications and encourage hyper-local sourcing. This commitment to stewardship extends to resident safety; the suite of passive strategies, including exposed thermal mass and operable windows, ensures passive survivability for at least 96 hours during peak summer outages. 

A PV-ready rooftop is sized to power common areas as localized resilience hubs during disruptions. By prioritizing low-carbon materials and operational efficiency, the team delivered a non-institutional environment that integrates housing, mobility, and nature. Kapuso proves that transit-oriented development can be a visible force for climate action, creating a vibrant, resilient sanctuary for residents and neighbors alike.