6 novel infill housing schemes

Infill construction continues to provide opportunities in almost every community. While we typically consider most infill sites to be located in large urban areas, they can also be found in many small communities.

Parcels of land with existing utilities and in close proximity to public transportation are often overlooked because they present numerous challenges. Certainly, local restrictions and difficult lot sizes can prove quite formidable. However, exciting solutions for higher-density housing that maintain the appropriate architectural character, scale, and mass are usually welcomed by city leaders and neighbors.

The following designs and concepts offer a variety of projects with presentations that clearly communicate the value of well-conceived infill design.

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Edge

Architect
Anne Postle, AIA, CAASH
Osmosis Architecture
apostle@osmosisarchitecture.com
303.652.2668
www.osmosisarchitecture.com

Pland Size
First floor: 913 sf
Second floor: 960 sf
Optional third floor: 475 sf
Total with options: 2,348 sf
Width: 25 feet
Depth: 73 feet

The key to a successful narrow-lot infill project is a floor plan that blurs the edges between traditionally defined spaces and allows the plan to live large. The Edge project blurs the line between defined spaces, interior and exterior, and efficiency and flair. The 25-foot-wide floor plan lives large in both function and style.

A. Open living area blurs the edges between dining, living, and cooking spaces. These overlapping spaces allow the plan to live large.
B. The kitchen functions for both casual dining and party staging.
C. Outdoor and indoor living blend seamlessly.
D. The second floor blurs the line between efficiency and style. Every inch counts.
E. The optional third-floor loft provides ultimate flexibility.

South Florida Infill

Architect
Todd Hallett, AIA, CAPS
TK Design and Associates
thallett@tkhomedesign.com
248.446.1960
www.tkhomedesign.com

Plan Size
Living area: 2,275 sf
Porches: 58 sf
Width: 34 feet
Depth: 55 feet  
Garage: 462 sf
Width: 21 feet
Depth: 22 feet

Infill housing can create some interesting challenges from a design standpoint. Infill lots are typically narrow or odd shaped, calling for thorough design analysis. Another consideration is the cost of construction. It’s easy to overshoot a neighborhood, so it is absolutely paramount to carefully study the surroundings for its existing and future potential. Finally, the design should be sensitive to the contextual fabric of the existing neighborhood. All of these factors play into the need for thoughtful planning in the design phase. The house portrayed here was designed to fit in an existing neighborhood in South Florida.

A. The flex room provides an area that can double as a formal dining room or convenient office off the kitchen.
B. The family entrance provides ample room for benches, cubbies, etc.
C. The extended two-story space and double arches team up to create more drama than the cast of “Real Housewives.”
D. The two-way stair from the kitchen is very popular. Access to the upper level from a hot spot is always a plus.
E. This home is designed for multi- generational living, with a full bedroom on the main living level.
F. The entrance is positioned to avoid creating a long hallway for this narrow design.
G. Two-story space opens up the entrance and makes the home feel much larger than it actually is.