City of Mississauga – Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods

These infill designs distill a nuanced understanding of urban planning, design, and policy into 8 straightforward design concepts to effectively increase the housing supply and be communicated to the public using clear design rationales. Client: City of Mississauga Type: Study Location: Mississauga, Ontario Scale: Infill Project Duration: 2022 Increasing Housing Choices in Neighbourhoods Like many […]

Oakville GO Master Plan

Oakville GO Station When Smart Density envisions a master plan, you can expect a compelling document that communicates complex planning policies and solutions to local challenges in a digestible manner to your audience. Take the Oakville Station District Master Plan, for example, which highlights how a master plan report can be exhaustive, instructional, and approachable […]

Aurora Mews

Family-Focused Shared Space This project organizes 5 townhome blocks around 2 mews, a type of shared space that promotes a sense of community and a “people-first, car-second” approach to residential development. The mews provide access to both building entrances and garages in a compact layout while functioning as communal space. Location: Aurora, ONScale: Townhouse ComplexSize: […]

The Perfect Missing Middle Project

Located on a site in a transition from a high density mid-rise building to a low density neighbourhood, this project fits seamlessly between the height and unit mix of the neighbouring structures – perfectly highlighting the appeal of Missing Middle housing. Client: Private OwnerLocation: Midtown Toronto, ONScale: Missing MiddleSize: ~10,000 GFATransit: 200m from Davisville Subway […]

8-Plex

8 residential units on a single property

661-665 Huron Street Infill – Laneway Rowhouses

Laneway Rowhouses in Toronto, Canada Unlocking the Missing Middle Missing Middle housing is a way to grow our cities. It is gentle density that fills the gap between single detached homes and high-rise buildings. It meets the growing demand for connected urban living and provides affordable housing options. Laneway housing is one way to address […]

Missing Middle Case Study: Re-Thinking the Conventional Stacked Townhouse

What are the Limitations of the Conventional 3-Storey + Basement Stacked Townhouses? Underground parking is 1.5 storeys below grade – expensive. Lower unit receives inferior daylight, open space and privacy. Access to the upper unit wastes space and frontage at the first level. First level of upper unit is two levels below the rooftop terrace. […]

Missing Middle Case Study: Low-Rise Apartment Building

The Missing Middle idea was coined by architect Daniel Parolek to illustrate the lack of housing types being built, not as a result of market forces but rather the result of policy – put simply, we have chosen to build everything else but Missing Middle housing. Missing Middle housing describes housing forms between single-detached houses […]