Breaking out of the static dwelling : redesigning the triple-decker

Society's definition of family is continuously evolving, creating a need for urban housing to accommodate an ever-changing variety of household types. By investigating the limitations of the triple-decker, a deeply integrated housing typology in Cambridge, MA, this thesis proposes that the dwelling, and in particular the multi-family dwelling, be re-conceptualized to be more flexible and adaptable to meet the changing needs of its inhabitants. Adaptability is explored on several time scales: diurnal, seasonal and life stage, so that environmental changes such as varying weather conditions, as well as a household's lifecycle changes, can be accommodated. By designing a system of fixed and transformable components (where the latter are commercially available) one is able to customize and re-customize one's home affordably throughout the lifecycle of a household and also enjoy a closer connection with the outdoors through the daily operability of interior and exterior components. A system that is compatible both with existing triple-deckers and new construction allows for maximum flexibility in its application - a must for a building typology that exists in a variety of conditions. Moreover, a system that allows a family to adjust their home to its current needs will effectively eliminate the costly need to move for reasons related to unit size, and benefit them financially long-term.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Oleksiuk, Meelena

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Jan Wampler.

• Architecture.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/42446
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/42446

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/42446