National CORE and partner Studio E Architects will receive an Award of Merit during the Gold Nugget Awards for The Iris at San Ysidro, an affordable housing community that blends high-quality, affordable homes and the best of community amenities with a revitalized neighborhood park, walkability and regional transit access.
The 2026 Gold Nugget Awards will be presented by Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista on July 29.
Selected from among more than 800 entries, the Iris is a four-story community with a dynamic triangular geometry style created by Studio E Architects.
The stunning community features open spaces, a vibrant exterior color palette and a cleverly designed amphitheater-style courtyard with a children’s play area that encourages neighborliness. This “Swiss Army Knife” space functions as a secure area for children, a venue for programming, a gathering space and a place to pause within a dense urban setting.
“We are pleased that the community we designed together with National CORE creates a transformative impact on the residents who live there and the neighborhoods we share,” said Eric Naslund, FAIA principal at Studio E Architects. “To have The Iris at San Ysidro recognized and appreciated with a Gold Nugget Award is affirming of the care and heart we put into these communities.”
The Iris serves 99 households earning below 60% of the area median income. It features 50 mobility-accessible apartments and five hearing-accessible apartments. Fifteen apartments are reserved as Permanent Supportive Housing for residents who have experienced homelessness.
The community also enhances the surrounding neighborhood.
National CORE partnered with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno and the local community to secure a $5 million grant through the California Department of Housing and Community Development to renovate Howard Lane Park.
Updates include restoration of a children’s playground and a new shade structure, security lighting and fitness equipment. The grant also funded a boost in neighborhood walkability with a high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) system that links the Iris, Howard Lane Park, schools, shops and services.
“The Iris at San Ysidro is the result of many partners, elected officials and community members coming together to create a beautiful space for our residents,” said Michael Ruane, president of National CORE. “It’s an honor to be recognized by PCBC with Gold Nugget awards. We’re especially grateful to Studio E Architects for designing a community that is both beautiful and welcoming.”
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