#MediumScaleMediumDensity: 3–5 story residential or mixed-use buildings are the essential fabric of mixed-income, mixed-density neighborhoods. Historic examples are all around; we need new ones of equal quality. As zoning, parking & access barriers fall, where are today’s success stories?

Been thinking a lot about the 3-story building and its role in sustainable, walkable urbanism. Low-rise, adaptable, efficient, and perfect for filling gaps or transitioning between uses. The true workhorse for resilient urban corridors and downtowns. #mediumscalemediumdensity

3-4 story buildings hit the sweet spot: often cheaper to build, resource-efficient, and endlessly adaptable. They can fit almost anywhere, from main streets to side streets to neighborhood streets.
Just do this. All the time.

#mediumscalemediumdensity #parkintheresr #ReduceParking

3–4 story #mediumscalemediumdensity, mixed or single use, buildings are affordable to build, resource efficient, flexible, and perfect for filling gaps on urban streets. They’re scalable to corridors and neighborhoods. Just do this. Everywhere. All the time. #parkintherearinternalorexternal

As we now look at 6-unit buildings in the housing debate, it’s worth remembering these #mediumscalemediumdensity homes have long existed, some once held more units. Zoning & parking rules have slowed new builds, but that’s shifting.

The real challenge here?

Strategic deployment.

This #mediumscalemediumdensity residential building. It’s composed of various interesting “moments” and details.

This low-mid rise type(3-5 stories, 6-35 units, renovation or new), has been either #zonedoutofexistence OR suffered #deathbyproforma.

It’s time to revive this much needed type.

New construction, 6–8 unit building(s) in an infill condition.
We need to get back to enabling this in many of our mono-zoned ‘hoods. These are the kinds of #mediumscalemediumdensity projects that can enhance our existing neighbourhoods.

House simply.

House with dignity; whether new construction or existing.

Modest detailing and solid materials.
At a scale that doesn’t overwhelm the neighbourhood.

House thoughtfully.

We don’t want to create a crisis of quality also.

#mediumscalemediumdensity

Typically 6 units, these small res bldgs are the building blocks for physically and economically diverse communities. Archetypes for new infill. The #mediumscalemediumdensity is critical to unlocking the potential of neighborhoods. We need more, new, renovated, or transformed. #citybuilding

The traditional city has many archetypal templates for how successful urbanism.
#mediumscalemediumdensity housing; small scale, lower unit count development, that bridges the gap from higher density/ higher scale development on main streets to lower density single family development is one.