Affordable housing options are limited in any developed city, especially for a single-occupancy household. Residents could include graduate students, young professionals, retirees, and elderly. As a response to this growing need, Building Trust International sponsored a competition generating designs with a budget of $30K.
Our proposal is specific to Raleigh and its developing downtown. Considering Raleigh's proposed zoning and development changes in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), the minimum sizes of residential parcels are shrinking. This leaves an abundance of lots that could shave off extra property to be sold as new. We propose a new zoning district, RA-50, that would build density and community through alleyway neighborhoods tucked into the centers of downtown blocks. These smaller, customizable homes would be affordable options located within walking distance of urban amenities.