Middle Housing
A People-Centred Housing Strategy

Instructor: Julia di Castri
Architectural Design Studio II, Winter 2020
University of Toronto

“I dwell in the city and the city dwells in me.”—Juhani Pallasmaa

Housing is a crucial element of urban areas but is shaped by subjective domestic values. By consolidating individual living spaces, a house can transform into a housing complex that navigates the balance between density and personal privacy, while also addressing the need for public access. This architectural form draws attention to both social and physical dimensions, from the overall infrastructure to the individual rooms.

The project aimed to address current housing challenges by designing a medium-density housing structure. It required an exploration of how to delineate, understand, and assess the cultural, physical, and conceptual aspects of a given environment. Additionally, it involved demonstrating expertise in tectonic expression and the principles of structural design within a cohesive architectural framework.