The Missing Middle
Housing for Millenials
Designing a publication to showcase and unite four distinct architecture proposals addressing housing challenges facing the millenial and post-millenial generations
The Missing Middle
Housing for Millenials
Overview
Publication design
Duration
4 months
Client + Team
Project Manager
Ken Coit — Architect
Project Manager
Maxwell McQuinn — Architect
Tools
Adobe Creative Suite
Context
Architects tackle housing challenges with design charrette
The Hamilton-Burlington Society of Architects invited members to participate in a design charrette focused on tackling housing challenges affecting younger generations.
Four teams worked independently to create proposals for housing concepts that have the potential to lower barriers to ownership and gently densify existing neighbourhoods.
Presentation boards were exhibited at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas, Ontario.
Original project cover
AutoCAD rendering of Carnegie Gallery by Perkins + Will
Problem
Covid-19 leads to cancellation of launch event
The spread of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdowns led to the cancellation of the event intended to promote the exhibit and allow contributors the opportunity to present their work to the public.
This also impacted the HBSA’s original plan to document the event and publish documentation across digital channels.
Covid-19 animated CAD model by Fusion Animation
Solution
Pivoting the communications strategy
Project manager Ken Coit approached me to design a digital publication, which would showcase and visually unite the four proposals. The publication would be made available online to HBSA members and the public.
Developing a unified visual style
Design Brief
Designing with flexible bookends
Project managers provided flexible parameters for developing the visual style of the publication, starting off with the design of the cover.
Project managers
Ken Coit
HBSA Member Architect
Director, Heritage and Urban Design at The City of Hamilton
Maxwell McQuinn
HBSA Member Architect
Senior Associate, Senior Project Architect at HOK
Design Guidelines
1.
Unify the projects under a common visual theme, considering the cover design, typography, colour, template styles and repeating elements.
2.
Highlight the work of fine artists who partnered with the Carnegie Gallery and project teams to interpret the proposals.
3.
Showcase unused assets and written material, extending the condensed panels into full-length chapters.
Content Audit
Gaining a deeper understanding of proposals and assets
PM’s provided access to folders containing editable files, allowing for dynamic experimentation. I audited the project files to develop a conceptual understanding of the proposals and a feel for visual styles.
Each team made use of an independent file-folder structure. To manage the large volume of content, I created new folders with a common hierarchy. I optimized and renamed files for improved findability as I audited each team’s folder.
Original project folders illustrating the large volume of assets
Design Iterations
Experimenting with energetic colour, geometric abstraction and silhouette
The goal of the publication’s cover was to conceptually link the document back to the original gallery partnership by creating an artist’s interpretation unifying the four proposals.
Cover design iterations
Final Design
Cover design, page styles, colour and typography
I worked with the PM’s to revise the concepts before arriving at the final designs and stylistic direction.
Throughout the rest of the design process, I met with PM’s every two to three weeks to provide progress reports and receive feedback.
The final publication was presented at the HBSA’s AGM to positive responses from the membership.
Final cover design
Project proposals: before and after
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introducing the concept of the missing middle and an overview of the project: problem statements, proposal sites, charrette process, gallery partnership, strategic pivot.
Chapter 2
Urban Laneway
Exploring Hamilton’s abundance of laneways as potential sites for modular housing; laneway housing could increase gentle density and create new investment opportunities for current property owners and first-time buyers.
Chapter 3
Rural Opportunity
Exploring the development of cooperative housing on underutilized land in a semi-rural environment; an ownership opportunity for those who prefer immediate proximity to nature.
Chapter 4
Transit Hub / Urban Infill
Exploring the transformation of urban infill lands into housing as well as commercial real estate, where the geometry of the structures creates new public third space integrated with retail storefronts.
Chapter 5
Retail Renewal
Exploring the transformation of a parking desert at a major retail hub into mixed-density housing including high-rise and mid-rise condominiums interconnected by public walkways and green space.
