Thesis Defence: Lisa Chenrong Chen

Monday, July 25, 2022 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

On Common Grounds

Lisa Chen thesis image

Abstract:

Canada's housing market has been unaffordable, inaccessible, and commodified for a long time. Due to the ever-increasing real-estate prices and critical housing shortages, there has been an elevated need for more alternative amenity-rich housing which evolves with the competitive nature of the housing market. This thesis explores communal living and proposes an alternative rental typology within the expanding urban centers of Canada geared towards young professionals working to afford their own homes. The design proposal will learn from the historical and modern communal living typologies that show significant community involvement, social benefits, and economic advantages. The design proposal aims to adapt to the growing urban downtown environment as an alternative urban residential option that will be socially and environmentally healthy, affordable, and foster positive, supportive relationships between the residents. By learning from existing communal living models, this design strategy utilizes the concept of cluster communities, a modified version of communal living that includes tiered common spaces servicing designated floors of residents, forming various micro-communities within the apartment tower block. The alternative residential typology can contribute to the residents' success and the community's betterment. It seeks to resolve the tension between the needs and desires of the individuals and the larger community's interests by dissolving the barrier between them. This thesis does not present a solution to the housing crisis; instead, it proposes an alternative option and attitude to approach modern living that has its roots in how people have lived together in history.

The examining committee is as follows:

Supervisor: John McMinn
Committee member: Marie-Paule Macdonald
Internal-external reader: Rick Andrighetti
External: Julia Dicastri

The defence examination will take place:
Monday, July 25, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
Please contact the grad office for the Teams link.

The committee has been approved as authorized by the Graduate Studies Committee.
A copy of the thesis is available for perusal in ARC 2106A.