UWSpace is currently experiencing technical difficulties resulting from its recent migration to a new version of its software. These technical issues are not affecting the submission and browse features of the site. UWaterloo community members may continue submitting items to UWSpace. We apologize for the inconvenience, and are actively working to resolve these technical issues.
 

On Common Grounds

Thumbnail Image

Files

Chen_LisaChenrong.pdf (10.83 MB)

Date

2022-08-29

Authors

Chen, Lisa Chenrong

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Waterloo

Abstract

Canada’s housing market has been unaffordable, inaccessible, and commodified for a long time. Due to the ever-increasing real-estate prices and critical housing shortages, there has been an elevated need for more alternative amenity-rich housing, which evolves with the competitive nature of the housing market. This thesis explores communal living and proposes an alternative rental typology within the expanding urban centers of Canada geared towards young professionals working to afford their own homes. The design proposal will learn from the historical and modern communal living typologies that show significant community involvement, social benefits, and economic advantages. The design proposal aims to adapt to the growing urban downtown environment as an alternative urban residential option that will be socially and environmentally healthy, affordable, and foster positive, supportive relationships between the residents. By learning from existing communal living models, this design strategy utilizes the concept of cluster communities, a modified version of communal living that includes tiered common spaces servicing designated floors of residents, forming various micro-communities within the apartment tower block. The alternative residential typology can contribute to the residents’ success and the community’s betterment. It seeks to resolve the tension between the needs and desires of the individuals and the larger community’s interests by dissolving the barrier between them. This thesis does not present a solution to the housing crisis; instead, it proposes an alternative option and attitude to approach modern living that has its roots in how people have lived together in history.

Description

Keywords

residential, co-living, cluster community, Vancouver, mixed use residential, Canadian housing crisis, young professionals, innovative housing, alternative housing, communal living

LC Keywords

Citation

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10012/18666

Collections

Theses
Architecture