Urban Pairs is Smart Density’s low-rise multifamily housing model designed to solve poor net-to-gross efficiency through shallow floorplates, one-stair access, and high-quality family-friendly units.
CLIENT:
LOCATION:
Ottawa, ON
TYPOLOGY:
Low-rise multifamily
KEY FEATURE:
High net-to-gross efficiency (91–94%)
PROJECT DURATION:
2024-
AWARDS:
Design competition, 1st Prize
Low-rise multifamily typically suffers from weak net-to-gross efficiency. Deep floorplates, double-loaded corridors, elevators, and extensive circulation space create buildings that are costly to construct and operate. These inefficiencies also limit unit quality, reducing light, ventilation, and flexibility, and make many small or constrained sites financially unworkable. As a result, low-rise housing often cannot meet demand for well-sized, practical units in high-growth markets.
Urban Pairs is a three-storey (Part 9 of the OBC), shallow building model designed to restore efficiency to low-rise multifamily.
Each building contains two units per floor, served by a single stair, with balconies providing the second means of egress when required by connecting to the single stair of the adjacent building (hence the name ‘urban pairs’).
This eliminates corridors and elevators and supports typical efficiencies of 91–94% for 700–1,000 SF units.
The model delivers:
High-quality 2 and 3-bed and units in a low-rise form
A cost-effective structure with minimal circulation
Strong performance on small, narrow, or irregular sites
A scalable approach to medium-density blocks
A viable option for markets seeking missing-middle housing
The model adapts to a wide range of lot sizes and shapes. Buildings can be combined to form compact blocks with interior courtyards, pedestrian-oriented streets, and rational parking solutions. These blocks perform well on sites that cannot accommodate mid-rise construction, whether due to depth, cost, or context.
