Vagabond: housing for the mobile adult

Abstract

Vagabond: Housing for the Mobile Adult deals with the precarious housing of the mobile adult. The mobile adult is a term coined by the author to describe the age group of 20-34 years old who are currently seeking social stability. That is to achieve the milestones of marriage, property ownership and income. However, the lack of job opportunities, affordable housing and high cost of living prolong their life goals. This thesis addresses the current inaccessibility of housing in Toronto and suggest another way of providing opportunities for living in the city. Its theory revolves around Zygmunt Bauman’s Liquid Life and Charles Jenck’s Adhocism, exploring the themes of integration and alternative housing systems through ad-hoc means. This thesis explores three scales. The interior scale addresses the temporary state of mobile adults and their need for mobility. The architectural scale examines how the building scale can integrate the mobile adult into an existing neighbourhood and how architecture can function as a social platform. The third scale, the neighbourhood scale, explores urban infill as an opportunity for housing development.