Designing for transitioning immigrants: reimagining the microhome by utilizing the unwanted

Abstract

Since post World War II, the housing crisis has been a growing socio-economic issue that disproportionately affects newcomers. Historically in Canada, prefabricated microhomes were the initial solution to the mass influx of newcomers in response to the housing demand. As the definition of micro-housing evolved, microhomes became a framework for housing in densely populated cities shifting the narrative away from newcomers. This resulted in uncomfortable small homes placed wherever possible across high populated cities. By orientating the narrative back to newcomers, we can investigate the question; how can the historical framework and present framework of micro-housing be altered to create density and facilitate newcomers through volumetric modular construction on unwanted land? This thesis will explore creating transitional micro-housing on bedrock with the affordable housing plan in Sudbury. It will investigate land sensitive foundation systems, volumetric modular construction and Japanese spatial optimization techniques.