Infill development promotes smaller, better designed homes

Using vacant or underdeveloped land within urbanized areas can help control urban expansion and address housing shortages. Infill housing can also bring positive change to a city by transforming a neighbourhood and offering improved access to employment, public transportation, and proximity to amenities, like shopping, entertainment, and other fun urban activities.

Location, smaller homes, and more innovative designs are fast becoming an interest for younger households. Traditional housing in more remote areas is no longer an attraction, and although accessible city locations can be costly, the request for smaller, better designed spaces, are a trend that residential architects are confident will continue.

As with any new building, structures built as infill have a risk of clashing architecturally with older, existing buildings. Creating an architectural design concept to respect the context of the neighbourhood is important. As architects become more familiar with the challenges of infill and small lots, they can execute designs that are applicable to the area.

As we look to residential design, achieving a spacious, bright and modern feel and look in these tall and narrow residential infill lots, is attainable. Natural light can easily fill these small homes by using large windows. Other modern features include high ceilings, glass walls, floating stairs, and outdoor spaces that form a private oasis. Modern small home design today is efficient, functional, uncluttered, and most importantly, livable.

Local authorities are collaborating with architects to review individual sites and carry out studies that will estimate the number of new units that can be achieved. Rezoning and design review can be a lengthy process however, once the green light has been given, the possibilities of infill development and architectural design are quite impressive.

Categorized in: Helpful Resources, Lorne Rose Architect