| This thesis examines multi-unit residential housing and how it can be applied as an infill proposition in a low-scale residential neighbourhood in central Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The commercial component of the neighbourhood is incrementally eroding the existing residential neighbourhood fabric, producing voids in the continuity of the street facade in both the commercial and residential environments. The intention of this design thesis is to repair the discontinuity of the street facade and intensify the commercial and residential components of the neighbourhood, increase population density to improve the use of existing amenities, and provide new amenities for both the new and existing residents.; The proposed design strategy consists of three mixed-use buildings organized around two main components: a public/semi-public/semi-private courtyard space, and a series of passages of interstitial spaces for: shared entry, courtyard access, through-block passage, and parking entry. In this thesis there is a focus on the architectural potentials for using and configuring the public, semi-private, semi-public, and private spaces around the dwelling units in a fashion that allows them to remain true to their nature, but provide more opportunities for social interaction and visual connection between the residents. Good neighbours share common space in a community. |
