Affordable housing

This studio explored affordable housing design opportunities when the designer is the builder, and the builder a designer. Students researched and identified various multi-modal cost reduction strategies available situated within this alternative model of construction. This research was then tested through the design of a single family residence. The prototypical homes took on low cost as a design driver, with the use of  appropriate low energy solutions, as well as inclusive design principles.

The semester started by an analysis of the work of our contemporaries at other universities grappling with the similar goal of designing and building affordable housing for their communities. This work was then revisited throughout the semester, and this study was used to track current trends and develop a new understanding of the challenges and opportunities for design innovation.