Incremental Density

More than 70% of Toronto’s land is designated as “Neighbourhoods” in the Official Plan, colloquially known as the Yellowbelt: land upon which the building of anything other than single-family detached houses is prohibited. However, plans are in motion to amend this regulation to permit the construction of multiplexes within these Neighbourhoods. This revision aims to address the pressing need for densification in the city and provide diverse residential options. Referred to as “missing middle” housing, these multiplexes offer a spectrum of housing choices, fostering a gradual increase in neighborhood density while preserving its unique character and ensuring high-quality living spaces.

Incremental Density is a response to Toronto’s housing crisis. This project embodies the ongoing pilot project initiated by the City of Toronto, focusing on the creation of highly sustainable missing middle housing. Our team was specifically selected to conceptualize and assess architectural designs and project parameters to determine the financial viability of implementing a sustainable low-rise residential building type (up to four stories) on a City-owned site. The study not only evaluated the feasibility of developing a missing middle project on the selected site but also delved into potential modifications to the development approval process, site disposition, and future development strategies. Furthermore, it entailed the selection of a development partner for the subsequent construction phase of the pilot project. The insights learned from this endeavor will not only shape the approach to missing middle housing on other sites, both publicly and privately owned, across the City but also contribute to the broader discourse on urban housing development.

The prototypes explore modular options for corner and midblock lots of different widths, with stacked units for ease of construction. The structures are divided into two sections: front-facing and back-facing units with central vertical circulation. The height of the front and back portions of the building can be adjusted to suit each context, enabling easy replicability of the design on different sites. Depending on the topography of the site and form of adjacent structures, the sections can range from 4 to 6 storeys with commercial units at grade, defining transition zones on main streets that will see future development up to six storeys in the coming decades.

To learn more about the project click here.

Press
  • Azure Magazine, “Reconceptualizing Urban Housing Highlights Female Perspectives”
  • Archello, “Reconceptualizing Urban Housing” focuses on the collective expertise of nine women-led architectural studios”
  • Canadian Architect, “Reconceptualizing Urban Housing Exhibition on liveable collective housing to launch at Venice Biennale”
  • Archdaily, “Time Space Existence 2023 Envisions New Sustainable Ways Forward”

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