PROJECT A City of Pocket Housing
LOCATION Tivoly Avenue, Baltimore, MD, USA.
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 12/7/2015
PROJECT CATEGORY Undergraduate / Upper Level Design
PROJECT TYPE Studio
ENTRANT Sheldon Alfred
TEAM MEMBERS
SCHOOL MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
FACULTY SPONSOR Pavlina Ilieva, Professor / Department of Undergraduate Architecture
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
A vacant section of Tivoly Avenue, just off Harford Road, was demolished as part of the Vacants to Value with the goal of restoring new housing life in the neighborhood.
Therefore, the project requirements were geared at exploring innovative solutions for low-density urban housing using hybrids of the two common urban housing types – the Rowhouse and the Lowrise Apartment that include but are not limited to duplex, townhouse, courtyard house, and condominiums. Using a generative design methodology, students were required to investigate the spatial possibilities and propose one housing type that combines features of both using the following criteria:
● Maintained density of units as original property subdivision
● Diversity (Size & Target User)
● Affordability (1,800 SF single family & 1,200 SF multifamily 3-bed)
● Communal/Civic/Common Space. – space that supports neighborhood functions and needs (Distributed or Consolidated)
● Open Space (Private/Semi-Private/Public at grade or at unit levels)
STUDENT'S STATEMENT
This innovative compound housing solution sits on a 10,000 SF site on Tivoly Avenue. The seven (7) unit hybrid apartment complex is an offspring of the rowhouse and aprtment typologies. Its relatively low density allows for closer communal relationships between residents.
Pocket studio and 2-bedroom units of 400 SF and 800 SF respectively interconnect at grade and at roof terrace level to form a micro urban experience. The community is further granted its own amenities in that of a kitchenette that feeds out into a mini-bar, a convenience shop and a laundromat to allow for closer communal ties during leisure and household tasking. The residents are allowed the opportunity to share a common space in that of a central courtyard at grade which houses an entertainment area. The shared roof decks also translate into a circulation system above grade and a potential bird’s eye view into the courtyard in every direction of the complex’s context.
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1: A City of Pocket Housing_high res image1.jpg, Street view of the project showing the complex in relation to immediate street edges and side walks, by Sheldon Alfred
IMAGE 2: A City of Pocket Housing_high res image2.jpg, The roofs terraces translate into Occupiable decks for the residents to enjoy multiple views while keeping eyes on the street, by Sheldon Alfred.
IMAGE 3: A City of Pocket Housing_high res image3.jpg, Occupiable roof terraces had value and life to this micro urban community and creates multiple communal opportunities for residents, by Sheldon Alfred.
IMAGE 4: A City of Pocket Housing_high res image4.jpg, This aerial view shows the complex nature of the roof terraces and their relation to units, courtyards, backyards, streets and alleys, by Sheldon Alfred
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MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
A City of Pocket Housing
Category
AIA Maryland Student Design Awards > Undergraduate > Undergraduate / Upper Level Design
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