Housing prototypes in Buffalo

Single-family housing is often equated to suburban America. Detached residences, however, are one of the most prevalent dwellings types throughout the world. In many countries, residences are self-designed and self-built. In contrast, in the U.S., speculative housing is far more common. Speculative (“spec”) housing is designed and constructed in advance of a client/owner, where a developer/home builder anticipates—speculates—what spaces, features, and materials will be most desirable to a potential buyer. The spec housing model, however, presents a number of design challenges and ethical issues. This studio explored alternative methodologies of empowering and designing for future home owners, which led to proposals for new housing prototypes for a neighborhood in central Buffalo.