A New Approach to Urban Living | California Masonry Council
Date published: 02/01/2024
Architects Christian Dimeling and Dominique Houriet are doing their part to provide solutions to San Diego’s housing crisis — and implementing masonry in the process. In 2021, the city launched Complete Communities Housing Solutions to provide infill developers with opportunities to contribute to the region’s housing supply. As architects and builders, Christian and Dominique responded to the city’s call for new housing with Le Parc, a $13.6 million, 32-unit, eight-story multi-family development in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.
The architects, along with Dominique’s [oo-d-a] Studio, have developed a new approach that optimizes masonry materials, assemblies, and environmental systems to reduce costs and construction times, increase unit delivery, and enhance living quality.
“I’m actively seeking more sustainable methods in masonry’s manufacturing process,” says Dominique. “My aim is to figure out how to make block production as efficient as possible while reducing the carbon footprint. This could involve creating lighter blocks or innovating the production process to open up more pattern options.”
Together, Christian and Dominique discuss their latest project and delve into the integration of masonry in their designs, the early influences shaping their material preferences and the innovative techniques that excite them in modern construction. Their conversation also explores how masonry contributes to the aesthetics of projects and its evolving role in contemporary architecture.
