Rehab & Design Construction’s Post

Often, when talking about point access blocks (single stair buildings), people don't really have a good way to visualize the vast difference in scale compared to status quo construction. Thanks to Sean Jursnick and Stephen Smith, there is now a graphic showing the maximum extents of these two building types. The International [sic] Building Code is not a code designed for #affordable, #familyfriendly, #sustainable, and small scale urban housing. Our double loaded corridor requirements induce massive #multifamily buildings, that require parcel assemblage, that result in really large studios and 1BRs, and insanely oversized 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. These homes only get daylight on multiple sides at corners. There is no opportunity for cross ventilation or mitigating the noise and pollution from the stroads and highways these buildings tend to get focused on. The economics of the massive double loaded corridor layouts in the US do not enable affordable homes. They are anonymous, and not conducive do socialization and community. Our #buildingcodes and #zoningcodes are a complete mess. It doesn't have to be this way. We can design dense multifamily housing that offers a high #qualityoflife, one that actually substitutes for living in a detached house. That offers the ability to weather the storms and events #climatechange will throw at us. This Thursday at 9 am ET/6 am PT, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies is co-hosting 'Legalizing Mid-Rise Single-Stair Housing in Massachusetts' - a presentation and panel discussion on Point Access Blocks. If you are interested in catching this presentation, you can register online, here: https://lnkd.in/gnixVK-g #citiesforpeople #buildingforpeople #stadtplanung #humanscaledcities #urbanplanning #betterhomes #architecture #urbanism

Could a tweak to SF’s building code be the key to unlocking thousands of new homes? 🏙️ Right now, any multifamily building over three stories in San Francisco needs two staircases, but a proposal by Supervisor Aaron Peskin could change that. By allowing six-story buildings with just one staircase — a common setup in Europe — SF could make room for more efficient, affordable housing. With a state mandate to add 82,000 housing units by 2031, this change might just be the boost the city needs to meet its goals and maximize smaller lots. What do you think: Is a single-stair design the solution SF’s been looking for? Justin Goldberg I DRE 01705028 M: 415-533-9202 #sanfrancisco  #sanfranciscohousing #urbandevelopment #housingcrisis #sensibledensity #affordablehousing #buildingcodes #sanfranciscorealestate #sfhomes #sflistings #sanfranciscohomes #luxuryrealestate #california #compass #compasssf #sanfranciscorealestate #compassagents #goldberggroup

Excited to see this project move forward. "City planning staff are recommending approval of a plan to build a 12-storey, 127-unit residential building on James Street North at Barton Street, on the site where the Mission Services men’s shelter once stood. A report that includes the staff recommendation goes to a vote at the city’s planning committee meeting Aug. 13 at city hall." Link to full The Hamilton Spectator article in the comments, but wanted to share some thoughts. This project will signal a big change for the area. 12 storeys is tall for this street, where most of the buildings are 2 or 3 stories. But these buildings were built 100 or more years ago, when our city and country were very different. Given that there is a GO Transit Station ~1.5 blocks from the site, it totally makes sense to increase the density and I think that Core Urban (who are a Hamilton developer) has done a good job. And, to be clear, I am writing this as a local resident, someone who will have a direct view of this project from my home. It will for sure have some impact on our lives during construction and it will be something to get used to going forward. But, I am excited about this project because it is going to be delivering 127 much needed rental homes in our community, as well as more commercial space, and what should be really nice office space in the adaptively reused 1910 brick heritage building that has been retained. So, ya, change can be hard, but in this case I hope that our community embraces it. #Housing #Infill #Redevelopment #Homes #Construction #Change #Residential #HamOnt #RandomMusings

Once the #CityOfYes rezoning goes into effect, expect NYC to look like the Wild West for a couple of years while the market figures it out. The largest zoning change in 40 years, COY turns the proverbial envelope on its head. Since the introduction of Quality Housing in the 1980's, the City has always focused on keeping the City "contextual" while providing increasingly higher amounts of floor area, through localized up-zonings and Inclusionary Housing. With City of Yes, the Mayor has adopted a new approach which focuses, almost exclusively, on providing as many new units as possible. To this end, parking requirements, density restrictions, floor area caps and yard regulations have either gotten significantly reduced or altogether thrown out the window. This 'update' will change the character of almost every neighborhood, making it very "un-contextual". Traditional pricing metrics, like FAR, now take a back seat, and developers have to find an efficient method to determine the optimal number of units to stuff on the lot. This effects the whole real estate market, as property values (and property taxes) get inflated by higher FAR ratios, and construction costs now trend more closely to price-per-unit than price-per-square foot. We still have a way to go before it actually gets approved an implemented, but it could go into effect by the end of the year, and I recommend to every one I speak to that they start looking seriously at the upcoming changes before they risk getting blindsided. #zoninghacks Meltzer/Mandl Architects., P.C.

Unlocking Potential: Regenerating Infill Sites for New Homes With the UK facing an acute housing shortage and the challenges of balancing green belt preservation with urban expansion, the importance of utilizing underused brownfield and infill sites has never been greater. At Marjoram Architects, we’re proud to play a part in tackling this issue through innovative and thoughtful design. Our Croydon Homes project is a prime example of how design can transform constrained urban sites into vibrant, affordable housing. Collaborating with developer Lightbox London, we worked on feasibility studies for three challenging infill sites as part of Croydon Council’s regeneration programme. These sites, though small and complex, offered an opportunity to provide much-needed two- and three-bedroom family homes for the borough. Key features of the project include: - Modular construction-ready designs to streamline building processes. - Generous fenestration ensuring ample natural light for improved well-being. - A contemporary material palette, respectful of local architecture while reimagining it for modern living. By considering these smaller, often-overlooked spaces, we can contribute to a solution that respects the environment, enhances communities, and addresses the housing crisis head-on. Let us know your thoughts on the role of infill development in tackling the UK’s housing challenges. Could this approach be an answer to unlocking urban potential? Explore the concepts through the carousel below. #HousingSolutions #BrownfieldDevelopment #UrbanRegeneration #ArchitecturalDesign #AffordableHousing #MarjoramArchitects

The Productivity and Equality Commission’s recent report on NSW’s housing supply challenges and policy options mainly examines supply-side drivers of the current housing crisis – canvassing finance, labour and materials, regulation and design among others. Some solutions proposed are great – and worth implementing immediately. While we don’t agree with everything in the Commission’s report, we recognise the value of thought leadership that brings forward bold ideas for reform. There is one proposal in their report that we just can't support - removing solar access requirements for apartments. Sunlight consistently rates as one of the most important considerations for people living in high density, and if we're to deliver Density Done Well, maintaining this requirement is essential. You can read more of our thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/gPr25dPx

🏗 Revitalizing Downtown Pittsburgh: 7 "Shovel-Ready" Projects Announced 🏗 Gov. Josh Shapiro, alongside local leaders, has launched a transformative $600M plan to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh with seven ready-to-go projects. Here’s what to expect: 💼 Economic Impact: These projects will create 3,500 construction jobs, with all projects targeted for completion by 2028. 💵 Funding Breakdown: The state will invest $62.6 million, paired with $22.1 million from Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority and $40+ million from private sector leaders, generating $376.9 million in private investment. 🏢 New Developments: The plan includes a mix of conversions and a new tower, focusing on interior build-outs to repurpose underutilized spaces into residential and public spaces. 🏙 Supporting Growth: Rising construction costs and high interest rates have previously stalled downtown projects, but this initiative aims to overcome those barriers. 🤝 Collaboration at its Best: This revitalization is a united effort supported by Gov. Shapiro, Mayor Ed Gainey, County Executive Sara Innamorato, and Pittsburgh's foundations and corporate leaders. Together, these projects mark a new chapter for Pittsburgh’s growth and community space development. #Colliers #Pittsburgh #MoreIn24 #ThriveIn25 #ClosersCoffee #ColliersCapitalMarkets https://lnkd.in/eaZWmee8

With all the talk about #CityOfYes coming down the line, today I want to take a look at a zoning throwback... Height Factor The first iteration of the modern NYC Zoning Resolution did not look much like what we have today (even before #CityOfYes). In fact, it did not have any version of 'infill housing', otherwise known as Quality Housing, which came around in the 1980's. Development of all residential buildings depended on the Height Factor formula, which balances the total square footage of a building with the amount of open space provided on a lot, and results in taller buildings with lots of open space around them. In addition to the tricky calculations required, Height Factor buildings provide much less FAR on almost every property in the City. However, we do occasionally run into lots that actually get MORE FAR by using Height Factor. Usually, this involves large lots which run very deep or through the entire block, where Quality Housing height and setback limits make it very difficult to squeeze in all of the floor area. In these cases, we have found that by using Height Factor you can 'break free' from the envelope, and max out your floor area. Additionally, because the required 'open space' can go on top of a commercial or community facility building, Height Factor also opens up the possibilities for mixed use development, to maximize your development rights. We love working with challenging sites because it brings out the best in us, and we always have chances to learn new things about the zoning and development in NYC. Reach out if you have a site that you have not yet been able to crack and give us a shot 👌 #zoninghacks Meltzer/Mandl Architects., P.C.

In addition to all of the meat and potatoes, #CityOfYes also includes its fair share of catchy names, like "Transit Oriented Development" and "Town Center" zoning. In truth, neither one of these terms appears at all in the zoning text, but they refer to some small provisions which can have a big impact. Today, we dig into Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and tomorrow we check out Town Center. As a planning concept, TOD refers to any mechanism that a municipality uses to incentivize development close to public transit. In the case of NYC, that means the subway and commuter rail lines (i.e. Metro North & LIRR) that run into Manhattan, which the Zoning Resolution has enshrined as the "Greater Transit Zone". While COY includes all sorts of benefits for sites located in the Transit Zone for high density (R6-R12) districts, low density (R1-R5) districts receive their own special floor area bonus, which the Mayor has sold as "Transit Oriented Development". In order to qualify, a site must have at least 5,000 sf of area and front a wide street (or a short street). These sites receive a 25-50% floor area boost and a larger bulk envelope, however, they also have affordable housing requirements if the total development exceeds 50,000. This intends to make building apartment buildings more feasible in these neighborhoods, making true on Mr. Adam's promise to put more housing in each neighborhood of the City. Do you think Transit Oriented Development can tip the scales? #zoninghacks Meltzer/Mandl Architects., P.C.

🥀 We don't want to live in a dark apartment full of dead plants and windowless walls, do we?   Among the recommendations in the NSW Productivity Commission's review of housing supply was a proposal to scrap the “solar access” requirement for apartments.    As Eamon Waterford said to the Herald, this would be like going back to the bad old days of windowless units, similar to the so-called 'dog box apartments' banned in Victoria eight years ago.    "If this goes ahead, we're looking at a future full of apartments with dead plants."   It's a sentiment we share with Philip Oldfield and Adam Haddow, who also agree that this proposal could usher in a generation of poor-quality, uncomfortable and lower-amenity homes. This will do the opposite of addressing the housing crisis. Instead, we need solutions that improve equity and access to affordable, high-quality homes.    Read the full article via The Sydney Morning Herald >> https://lnkd.in/gEMHVSc7 Estelle Grech, Julie Power, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, Philip Thalis, Chris Minns, Daniel Mookhey, Paul Scully, Simon Draper, Kiersten Fishburn, Peter Achterstraat AM FAICD(Life), Jeremy Gill, Paul Levins, Kate Bryant, James Cullen, Jesse McNicoll, Rob Stokes, Cathryn Callaghan