Top Trends in Affordable Housing | Lane Lowry

The call for affordable and accessible housing has never been so loud. The pandemic brought economic hardships, which affected the need for safe, comfortable, and affordable housing.

These days, people are looking for more than a house — they’re looking for a home. Ideally, a home that can meet their location, ethical, and aesthetic needs. Naturally, this in itself has formed a series of new and growing trends. When it comes to affordable housing, design is critical.

Going Green

Green roofs are a growing trend for affordable housing within the city. Apartments, condos, and buildings with rooftops or garden access have made all the difference for city dwellers.

Many firms and architects are behind this growing trend, and the result is a small space that doesn’t feel small. There’s no sense of suffocation, but instead an area full of life and vibrancy.

Sustainable Designs

The demand for sustainable housing has increased dramatically over the past decade. People are becoming more aware of the impact they leave on the environment, and more and more people are working to mitigate those effects.

Part of that mitigation comes in the form of sustainable housing designs. According to Outreach, construction and environmental controls (heating, air conditioning) make up almost half of greenhouse gas emissions. It makes sense that people would want to try and tackle this specific problem with that in mind.

Terrace With a View

Apartments will always be part of affordable housing, but that doesn’t mean they have to be bland, small, or depressing in design. Many apartment complexes are trying to develop creative designs that allow for terraces, larger windows, or shared outdoor spaces for tenants.

Additionally, these apartments are more likely to have a community in mind when designing. Communal gyms, salons, offices, and dog runs are becoming more popular as time goes on.

Pops of Color

Another initiative within affordable housing is bringing in a pop of color to these apartment complexes. For example, 118 Viviendas, Coslada (by Amann Canovas Maruri) intentionally brings in bold shades of blue, orange, and red into the common area. It creates a sharp contrast against the concrete and metal exterior of the building itself. Designs like this allow for color and artwork to be readily available for all residents.

Article originally published on LaneLowery.us