ARC3712H S
Instructor: Katy Chey
Meeting Section: L0101
Thursday, 9:00 - 12:00pm

Multi-Unit Housing in Urban Cities: From 1800 to Present Day is a journey that explores housing through different cities at specific times when housing had the ability to build and shape cities. This course pursues how multi-unit housing typologies developed, evolved and defined the city, how inhabitants lived in the typologies, and how the typologies correlate in a contemporary context.

The course investigates multi-unit housing typologies that were predominant in a particular city from the 1800s to present day. It begins with Back-to-Backs in Birmingham, UK, during the Industrial Revolution, and ends with High-Rise Towers in Toronto, Canada, at present day. The case studies presented are just some examples that illustrate the connection between a housing typology and its city.

Students will be introduced to a different housing typology in a different city every week through presentation lectures and readings. First, students will learn the classifications of the different housing typologies. Then, in each class, case studies will uncover the historical, social, economical and political circumstances that lead to the development of the typology; the public and private agencies involved; typology components and organization; building construction and materials; floor plans, access and circulation; policies, laws and regulations; and the condition of the typology in present day. Students will be given the opportunity to engage in discussion and work on individual research and design exercises.