CONTEXT VERSATILITY 2-FAMILY

Affordable residential development doesn’t have to come at the cost of architectural quality. Likewise, great architecture doesn’t have to be expensive.

Cincinnati, Ohio hosted a nation-wide design competition to create much-needed middle housing through pre-approved plans. CUDA Studio answered the call and won one of only 5 Honorable Mention Awards. The Honorable Mention Award bestowed on CUDA Studio’s design was in recognition of its contextuality – a central goal expressed in competition criteria.

The BuildReady Design Competition committee received over 90 submissions from 63 teams in 12 states (and 2 countries). Focused on creating middle housing, the competition had three categories: 2, 3, and 4-family designs.

Like many cities, Cincinnati’s housing shortage is considerable. Estimates of this deficit range from 40,000 to 55,000 housing units for the city’s growing population. While large multi-family developments can satiate some of that need, those projects require substantial property and are often opposed by communities.

Like many Midwestern cities, Cincinnati has many small lots scattered throughout its neighborhoods. These lots – which are often only 25 feet wide – require sensitive infill which compliments existing urban and architectural context. These small lots can host 2, 3, and 4-unit housing types – varieties which have become all too rare in new construction development.

Homebuilders can keep costs low with designs that incorporate efficient floor plans, standard dimensions, and known construction methods. Also, lower costs can be reached through repetition. Pure repetition, however, makes for boring neighborhoods and inhuman streetscapes. The Contextual Versatility 2-Family design uses the same “chassis” and places a few façade variables upon it to achieve designs which can be employed in several architectural contexts and with a few different exterior amenities.

This design employs contemporary interpretations of 4 predominant Cincinnati architectural styles: Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Tudor, and Queen Anne. And more could be added.