Patterns: Economical Inhabitations

Abstract

The central premise of this thesis is about providing housing for low-income individuals that meets the requirements of a high quality of living , security and privacy while still allowing inhabitants to interact with neighbors and the city. Another important was allowing pedestrians and the residents of the city to interact with this project. The project was to find solutions that were economical and tasteful simultaneously, and not to allow the project to feel inferior to market-rate housing. The essential problem is to create an architecture for multi-family housing that allows tenant to remain as individuals, which is usually difficult in apartment-like buildings. The project strives to encompass energy saving techniques with the use of natural materials, lighting and ventilation in a creative manner. The thesis asks questions such as 'what is the role of architects in the realm of social responsibility' and 'how do architects design for a charitable clientele' in order to support the project. Research on low-income families and individuals has lead to conclusions on some of the things that should be provided for this client. Secure environments for watching children, child-care services nearby, quality and durable materials with low maintenance and community spaces became an integral part of the project, as well as an abundance of amenities that could make a small apartment feel like a home. Providing plenty of outdoor space for children as well as adults was a major factor in the design.