is an architectural designer and researcher based in Milwaukee, WI.
About
As the prototypical mid-century starter home now sells for a price exponentially higher than its original listing, there is a lack of affordable single-family housing available to first-time homebuyers. Subsequently, as the value of land has risen, many of the starter homes built in the 20th century have since been demolished to make room for larger, newly built houses. While both the cost of land and building materials continue to rise, opportunities for potential homebuyers to build equity are increasingly out of reach. As one method to approach the housing shortage in Milwaukee, the Department of City Development offers empty lots in specific subdivisions for people interested in building a new home. These lots can be purchased for one dollar.
A Small Home is an idea of what a more affordable single-family dwelling could look like. To mitigate the expense of costly building materials, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house is one-and-a-half stories. This decision reduces the exterior surface area of the building thereby reducing the use of insulation, substrate, cladding, and labor during construction. The 1,064 square foot dwelling centers around a staircase which acts to divide the space, providing accessible separation from spaces used for eating, relaxing, and sleeping. The unfinished basement furnishes egress windows to allow for the flexible installation of future bedrooms or additional living space.