Near the edge of Florida, in unincorporated West Palm Beach, Dyson Circle Apartments stands as a housing complex that has faced challenges since its construction in 1975. According to residents, primarily young Black single-parent families, the 134 units have seen little renovation over the years.

"A local told us that no one really wanted to live in Dyson Circle; everyone wanted to leave," said Yameen Arshad, a recent graduate from UC Berkeley’s master of real estate development and design program.

Arshad was part of a team tasked with transforming Dyson Circle into an appealing and climate-resilient community while maintaining affordability. This challenge was undertaken by two teams from UC Berkeley in the national 2025 Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design and Planning Competition.

The competition required participants to propose redesigned buildings, landscapes, and community programming. They also needed to develop plans for gaining neighborhood and municipal support and work out financial projections using various funding sources. After initial feedback from the jury, teams presented their final designs.

"Oftentimes students will tell me when they’re graduating that this [competition] was the most satisfying moment of their tenure," said Ben Metcalf, one of Berkeley’s faculty advisers for the contest. Metcalf is now a professor with the Department of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley.

Team Blue emerged victorious with their proposal to transform Dyson Circle into Mango Commons. Their plan involves more than doubling the number of dwellings with apartments ranging from studios to five-bedroom units across five buildings named after tropical fruits. The development would also include row houses built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Team Blue comprised Arshad; Omeed Ansari; Balaji Balaganesan; Harrison Haigood; and Chelsea Hall. Each member contributed expertise to different aspects of the project through numerous Zoom meetings over winter break. "It became our lives. Because we cared," Arshad said.

The team addressed challenges such as arranging units efficiently without exceeding budget constraints and adapting design choices for hurricane resilience. They chose impact-resistant materials and proposed flood mitigation strategies like retention ponds.

Led by Hall, Team Blue engaged with local organizations to create community programs based on residents' requests for child-friendly amenities such as playgrounds and daycare facilities.

"In addition to disaster resilience, the planning very much catered to who was already living there," Arshad explained.

To understand community needs better, Team Blue consulted a cultural anthropologist familiar with Dyson Circle's culture and contacted current residents directly.

Their final design included youth-friendly programming, increased tree planting, bike docks for public transport access, covered verandas reflecting Southern porch culture, community gardens, sports fields, basketball courts, green spaces lit by outdoor string lights at night-time gatherings—plus storm shelters within two multi-use centers hosting libraries or computer labs among other amenities!

Meanwhile Team Gold offered an alternative solution called Golden Palms featuring fewer units but similar emphasis on affordable housing issues: homeownership plans through townhomes purchased after fifteen years residency using lease payments towards purchase price reduction while offering unique resident programs including kitchen/masseuse training alongside construction labs suitable either professionally/fun purposes alike! Both teams demonstrated balance between innovation feasibility according faculty adviser Metcalf who praised them nailing cost-effective building solutions stacked basic unit types marquee façade elements ennobling spaces sizzle judges awarded $15k first prize second place honor $5k respectively!

Berkeley's dual victories were long-awaited after six years coming close thrice runners-up before facing unexpected cancellation traditional sponsor HUD contest termination days prior finalist announcement leaving students heartbroken until Metcalf secured Council Large Public Housing Authorities hosting agreement piecing together funding pledges twelve sources underwrite costs eventually reinstating race formally back track once again allowing teams focus renderings spreadsheets month later presenting proposals public housing leaders advocates nationwide Palm Beach County Authority considering real-life redevelopment site itself uncertain future remains without permanent sponsorship despite invaluable experience gained applying classroom learning fashion Santa Clara County Housing Authority drafting similar scenarios new job Ansari believes mantra human right echoed sentiments hope bring affordable design development experience home Pakistan where inexpensive dwellings needed developer creating positive impact step toward making brick-and-mortar difference good

"Housing is a human right at the end of the day for me," Ansari stated emphatically living working whole team shared belief echoed Arshad hopes apply skills improving conditions elsewhere globally Mango Commons represents tangible progress fulfilling vision impacting communities positively meaningful ways lasting change possible achievable goals reached collective efforts dedication commitment ideals core values underlying principles driving mission forward every step journey taken together united purpose common cause greater good all involved stakeholders beneficiaries alike looking ahead brighter future awaits realization dreams aspirations hopes fulfilled reality today tomorrow beyond always evermore enduring legacy left behind generations come benefit enjoy appreciate cherish remember fondly forevermore timelessly eternally enduring testament perseverance determination resilience spirit courage strength resolve fortitude unwavering steadfastness faith hope love peace harmony unity solidarity humanity compassion kindness empathy understanding acceptance inclusion diversity equality justice fairness equity respect dignity integrity honor trust loyalty friendship cooperation collaboration teamwork partnership alliance synergy mutual aid support assistance encouragement inspiration motivation empowerment enlightenment transformation growth development evolution advancement progress success achievement accomplishment fulfillment satisfaction contentment joy happiness well-being prosperity abundance flourishing thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving thriving