Penciler is a web-based site feasibility tool for multifamily housing development from UrbanSim, used during site acquisition.
It uses local zoning and site data to auto-generate and compare building layout options, with 2D/3D visualization and cost and financing analysis for each option.
Penciler is a web-based site feasibility platform for multifamily housing development, built by UrbanSim for use during the site acquisition phase. It draws on local zoning codes, building codes, and site data to automatically generate and test many different building layout options for a parcel — using a proprietary layout algorithm that can evaluate a large number of configurations in seconds to maximize unit count within the site's constraints. Each option is visualized in 2D floorplan and 3D massing form in its geographic context, alongside a financial analysis that covers development costs, affordable housing costs, and cashflow projections. Penciler also lets users visualize the impact of policy levers such as density bonuses and inclusionary housing requirements on a given site's feasibility. It is used by both public-sector agencies evaluating affordable housing sites (originally developed with the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development) and private-sector developers assessing acquisition targets. Penciler is currently available for sites in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, California; Vancouver, BC; and Denver, CO.
Penciler is a web-based site feasibility platform for multifamily housing development, built by UrbanSim for use during the site acquisition phase. It draws on local zoning codes, building codes, and site data to automatically generate and test many different building layout options for a parcel — using a proprietary layout algorithm that can evaluate a large number of configurations in seconds to maximize unit count within the site's constraints. Each option is visualized in 2D floorplan and 3D massing form in its geographic context, alongside a financial analysis that covers development costs, affordable housing costs, and cashflow projections. Penciler also lets users visualize the impact of policy levers such as density bonuses and inclusionary housing requirements on a given site's feasibility. It is used by both public-sector agencies evaluating affordable housing sites (originally developed with the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development) and private-sector developers assessing acquisition targets. Penciler is currently available for sites in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, California; Vancouver, BC; and Denver, CO.
Penciler Pricing
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More than 30 days
PRICING PLANS
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Penciler Frequently asked questions
Penciler is developed by UrbanSim Inc.
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FEATURED
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