Going Out on a Limb at Beech and 9th : Housing: Ted Smith tries a social experiment in housing in downtown San Diego.

"Within a single building, Smith has included an amazing array of rental housing, from compact suites to more expansive townhomes. His new, 8,500-square-foot downtown building, designed in collaboration with Kathy McCormick, has the funky-but-chic look of earlier Smith efforts. It is constructed of white stucco, asphalt roofing shingles in a black, gray and green checkerboard pattern used as exterior siding, concrete and economical aluminum windows, all supported by a wooden frame."

"Stairs and balconies between units make it easy for Go Home dwellers to casually drop in on each other. All ground-floor units have small front porches, forcing residents to interact with the life of the sidewalks out front. To keep costs low, Smith and McCormick leave the homes relatively unfinished. Residents add walls, furnishings and finish materials to define their raw spaces."

"Many of the building's residents participated in its construction. A significant portion of its $870,000 cost is sweat equity contributed by Smith and McCormick, who managed construction and hammered their share of nails. The homes range in size from a 180-square-foot, high-ceilinged room renting for $250 a month to McCormick's 1,860-square-foot townhome."

Architect Ted Smith designed an 8,500-square-foot downtown San Diego building featuring diverse rental housing options from compact studios to spacious townhomes. The structure combines economical materials like white stucco, checkerboard asphalt shingles, and aluminum windows with intentional design elements promoting community interaction. Ground-floor units include front porches encouraging sidewalk engagement, while shared stairs and balconies facilitate neighbor connections. To maintain affordability, Smith and collaborator Kathy McCormick leave units partially unfinished, allowing residents to customize spaces while receiving rent credits for labor contributions. Residents range from young singles to families, with many participating in construction. The $870,000 project incorporates significant sweat equity from Smith and McCormick, demonstrating how collaborative design and resident involvement reduce costs while building community.

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