The Architecture of Affordable Housing

by Sam Davis

That a country of wealth cannot provide sound housing for those in need is a national embarrassment. This book is about the design of dignified, affordable housing for those not served by the private sector, and how that housing fits comfortably into our communities. Sam Davis has written an accessible, non-technical analysis for everyone interested in the creation of affordable housing. Through discussions of cost, politics, and design concepts, as well as case studies of completed projects, he gives solutions to the dilemmas posed by the development process.

Good housing design is a delicate balance of community values, individual needs, esthetic judgments, and technical requirements. Good design can save money―seventy percent of the cost of a new dwelling is affected by planning and design. As a key ingredient in community building, housing should bestow on its inhabitants a sense of dignity, says Davis. To view this as a privilege for those who can afford market-rate housing invites both social and financial disaster. He also considers our national obsession with the single-family house and our historical ambivalence toward subsidized housing―attitudes that have often led to the stigmatization of low-income groups.

This book will be indispensable to community and volunteer groups, local governments, financial backers, architects, planners, and students in related fields.

Genres: Architecture

220 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 1995

Reviews

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff. A necessary foray into a site of much contention in our society and culture. I thoroughly enjoyed this more than I thought I would initially. For how many ways are there to talk about a building? I hope that I'm able to do something with this.

[Carol Jones]

I've just dipped into this a little so far, but I was impressed by the author's focus on dignity and liveability. For example, he notes that more expensive houses often have bathrooms with the shower or tub area separated from the sink(s) area, and affordable housing does not, in a misguided attempt to save on square footage. He points out that poorer families often have more family members crowded into smaller homes, so separate washing areas allow more people to get ready for their day at the same time. This kind of detail and thoughtfulness is very appealing to me.