"Many people are living with profound insecurity today. We see many of them camping in the streets and in parks, and others in substandard housing."
To be clear, MOST people who are homeless are homeless because of (a) substance abuse and/or (b) mental health. They are NOT going to be forced into cheap housing, no matter how innovative and inexpensive.
Having said that, I see this as more of a novelty, ala AirBNB. Affordable housing translates into smaller units without all the upgraded amenities, fancy eat-in kitchens, entertainment rooms, etc. of many apartment complexes. Every corner, every bump out, only adds to construction costs. There is nothing wrong with studio apartments from a developer's perspective so long as noise reduction between units and floors is minimized, and then a readily available source for mobile room dividers is kept open for people to customize to their own preference. The problem is that young people expect to begin their lives living it as one would be able to afford when they're maybe 50 years old—prime earning years, with more disposable income. Blame universities with their outrageous ensuite campus housing that instills a sense of entitlement amongst college students that the fancy housing is the bare minimum they ought to accept upon graduation.
No, it's not. Ramen and cheap hot dogs on paper plates should be your college experience, along with a shaggy ramshackle apartment shared with six of your closest buddies and an odd smell that can't *quite* be identified—not a multitude of chef-prepared microgreen-topped haute cuisine. It's all entitlement, IMHO.
One of the stranger rules I've read regarding office-to-residential conversions is that windows are required in bedrooms but not living rooms, even if the windows are not meant to be an emergency exit (e.g. a fixed window on the 20th floor). That seems backwards--bedrooms are a place where having no external lighting is okay (to promote sleep regardless of sunlight) but you definitely want some external lighting in the living room!
I've always believed indoor offices could be great indoor playgrounds and amenities for kids inside the city. Top half for offices and bottom floors for retail, indoor atriums for meetings and community.
Interesting historical perspective that initially people lived in dwellings which was more like camping in them.
This makes RV full timing seem like not such a bad idea if one can find a long term parking spot after one no longer is willing or able to travel. We live well in a 35' motor coach for 5 months of the year to escape Michigan's seasonal Ice Age. With an on board European small space washer/dryer combo for laundry, kitchen and bath all is good. Of course lots of out door walking etc.
"Many people are living with profound insecurity today. We see many of them camping in the streets and in parks, and others in substandard housing."
To be clear, MOST people who are homeless are homeless because of (a) substance abuse and/or (b) mental health. They are NOT going to be forced into cheap housing, no matter how innovative and inexpensive.
Having said that, I see this as more of a novelty, ala AirBNB. Affordable housing translates into smaller units without all the upgraded amenities, fancy eat-in kitchens, entertainment rooms, etc. of many apartment complexes. Every corner, every bump out, only adds to construction costs. There is nothing wrong with studio apartments from a developer's perspective so long as noise reduction between units and floors is minimized, and then a readily available source for mobile room dividers is kept open for people to customize to their own preference. The problem is that young people expect to begin their lives living it as one would be able to afford when they're maybe 50 years old—prime earning years, with more disposable income. Blame universities with their outrageous ensuite campus housing that instills a sense of entitlement amongst college students that the fancy housing is the bare minimum they ought to accept upon graduation.
No, it's not. Ramen and cheap hot dogs on paper plates should be your college experience, along with a shaggy ramshackle apartment shared with six of your closest buddies and an odd smell that can't *quite* be identified—not a multitude of chef-prepared microgreen-topped haute cuisine. It's all entitlement, IMHO.
One of the stranger rules I've read regarding office-to-residential conversions is that windows are required in bedrooms but not living rooms, even if the windows are not meant to be an emergency exit (e.g. a fixed window on the 20th floor). That seems backwards--bedrooms are a place where having no external lighting is okay (to promote sleep regardless of sunlight) but you definitely want some external lighting in the living room!
Wonderful article!
I've always believed indoor offices could be great indoor playgrounds and amenities for kids inside the city. Top half for offices and bottom floors for retail, indoor atriums for meetings and community.
Interesting historical perspective that initially people lived in dwellings which was more like camping in them.
This makes RV full timing seem like not such a bad idea if one can find a long term parking spot after one no longer is willing or able to travel. We live well in a 35' motor coach for 5 months of the year to escape Michigan's seasonal Ice Age. With an on board European small space washer/dryer combo for laundry, kitchen and bath all is good. Of course lots of out door walking etc.