1. 2014 Live Oak Street
• 1,656 sqft
• Lot 1,916 sqft
• Estimated: $293,200
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 stories
• 5’ separate each house
Blocks are organized in rows and columns of flipped and symmetrical houses across a fixed datum: a private street/driveway. At first glance, it can be perceived that each house is identical, there are generally two or three various models. This visual phenomena introduces a new conflicting atmosphere to the surrounding neighborhood but also a feeling of uniformity between the houses. Due to each house having a garage on the first floor, the street has a particular length requirement to allow cars to pull in and out, ultimately determining the size of each house on blocks.
Built in 2017
12 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 13
14
Diagram of cars determing house lot sizes
Houston Housing 15
• 2,024 sqft
• Lot size not specified
• Estimated: $370,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 2’ separate each house
2. 2131
McIlhenny Street Built in 2013
16 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 17
• 2,430sqft
• Lot size not specified
• Estimated: $410,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 4’ separate each house
Newer variations of Houston housing inspired by Preston Bolton’s 5000 Longmont Drive focus on having seemingly ordinary houses with narrow space between them. They can range from 1’ up to 6’, are typically filled with gravel and, if large enough, can store AC units, trash cans, and even front doors to houses. Sometimes they connect into small gardens that rest between garage doors to distract the viewer from perceiving the space. Most houses will have windows on the party walls as if it is an independent structure on its own site.
3.
Built in
2134 McIlhenny Street
2014
18 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 19
• 2,477 sqft
• Lot size not specified
• Estimated $402,500
• 3 bedroom
• 3 stories
• 4’ separate each house
4. 2692 Prospect Street Built in 2004
20 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 21
1.2 Montrose 22
1831 W Main St
1844 Sul Ross St
4015 Driscoll St 2043 Colquitt St
1844 Colquitt St 2025 Colquitt St
1821 W Main St 2022 W Main St
1856 Branard St 1909 Branard St 2414 Ralph St 2402 Mandell St
Affordability comes into question when examining these houses. In Houston, a group called Houston Community Land Trust (HCLT) assists low-income families in purchasing houses by subsidizing the land of their future homes. The process begins with the prospective homeowner screening to ensure they fit the criteria. Then, they can pick a house anywhere they need to in Houston. Allowing the client to pick the home permits them to construct judgments about driving to work or taking public transit, affordability strategies of the house, and walkability to nearby stores. This is also what makes HCLTs different from CLTs in other cities. Due to the lack of zoning laws in Houston, the land is scarce and comes for a high price. Preventing HCLT from being able to buy land and build houses with clients, which is how other CLTs function.
When asked about the affordability of missing middle houses, an HCLT worker noted that the market comes from people moving from the East and West Coast of the United States. After moving to the city, folks from the coasts think these prices are a good deal coming from areas with higher living costs than Houston. It is then necessary to see what existed on each site before the phenomena began to understand if this displaces Houstonians, which does not seem to be the case. The average number of houses on each site before the densification of the 26 blocks studied was 1.3. After, this number grew to 10.8 houses on each site. If any were displaced, it was due to them selling their homes, with most blocks being empty before the expansion.
Houston Housing 23
• 2,021 sqft
• Lot 6,250 sqft
• Estimated: $717,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 stories
• 3’ separate each house
The organization of the missing middle phenomenon ranges from simple mirroring to complex arrangements of many housing models. When walking around the more straightforward organization, sensations of discomfort and uniformity are present. Features that appear randomized, such as windows, acquire their pattern through repeated design. The robust, compact, and geometric ideas flowing through each block enable strange events, such as windows appearing in 3’ spaces between housing units.
5. 1831 W Main Street Built in
2017
24 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 25
• 3,624 sqft
• Lot 2,000 sqft
• Estimated: $618,229
• 4 bedrooms
• 4 stories
• 2’ separates each house
6. 4015 Driscoll Street
Built in 2014
26 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 27
• 2,960 sqft
• Lot 1,595 sqft
• Estimated: $627,467
• 4 bedrooms
• 4 stories
• 6’ separate each house
Outdoor conditions are abundant and are mainly found in the form of balconies and terraces. A handful of blocks examined fit backyards of around 10’x6’ behind houses. While there may have been a significant emphasis on outdoor courtyards to encourage the community to interact, it appears that the tradition moved to more individualized explorations of outdoor engagement. Resulting from the organization of units, little consideration of sun and shading is taken into account.
7. 1844 Colquitt Street Built in
2013
28 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 29
• 1,948 sqft
• Lot 1,835 sqft
• Estimated: $370,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 6’ separate each house
8. 1821 West Main Street Built in
2007
30 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 31
• 3,042 sqft
• Lot 2,221 sqft
• Estimated: $837,000
• 4 bedroom
• 3 stories
• 6’ separate each house
Vehicular entry onto the site varies from each instance: gates guard some, while others are accessible freely by external conditions. Of the 26 blocks examined, 12 had gates; nearly half had gates blocking driveways.
9. 1856 Branard Street Built in
2015
32 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 33
• 2,853 sqft
• Lot 1,835
• Estimated: $627,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 4 stories
• 3’ separates each house
10. 1844 Sul Ross Street
Built in 2015
34 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 35
• 2,998 sqft
• Lot 1,441 sqft
• Estimated: $482,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 4 stories
• 4’ separate each house
A wide variety of roof styles are used in these houses: most commonly found are the hip, gable, and shed roofs. There appears to be no reason for the particular roof style used by houses, as most clash with the style found in the surrounding context. One block examined introduces the saltbox housing style, creating long, sloping roofs. Another block used techniques found in Western Town architecture, having fake fronts covering their roofs.
11. 2025 Colquitt Street Built in
2009
36 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 37
• 2,383 sqft
• Lot 1,826 sqft
• Estimated: $552,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 2’ separate each house
12. 2022 West Main Street
Built in 2005
38 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 39
1.3 Houston Heights 40
316 W 20th St
343 W 17th St 858 Fisher St
403 W 17th St 415 W 16th St
867 Wakefield Dr
884 Wakefield Dr 1819 Ashland St Houston Housing 41
884 Fisher St
• 3,576 sqft
• Lot, 2,000 sqft
• Estimated: $787,300
• 3 bedroom
• 4 stories
• 3’ separate each house
Drainage is another influential factor because Houston tends to flood often. Gravel is a porous material, allowing water to seep through, which is utilized well on these blocks. While it is found between houses, as mentioned earlier, it is sometimes used in front of blocks. Gutters are another valuable tool for managing water; in most instances, the gutters are bountiful and sprawl around houses. They use a mix of internal and external gutters and most end in the gravel sections between homes.
13. 316 West 20th Street Built in 2017
42 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 43
• 2,453sqft
• Lot 2,396 sqft
• Estimated: $768,300
• 3 bedroom
• 3 stories
• 2’8” separates each house
14. 343 West 17th Street
Built in 2014
44 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 45
• 2,497 sqft
• Lot 1,995 sqft
• Estimated: $644,500
• 3 bedroom
• 4 stories
• Between 4’ and 10’ separate each house
Often, these homes dominate in their context due to their height; fifteen blocks had three stories, and six blocks had four stories. When looking around the neighborhoods, most houses were just two stories. Compared to the mass created by having a large number of taller houses, it does not assist in creating an inviting atmosphere.
15. 403 West 17th Street Built in 2011
46 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 47
• 1,738 sqft
• Lot 5,205 sqft
• Estimated: Unknown
• 3 bedroom
• 3 stories
• 5’ separates each house
16. 884 Wakefield Drive
Built in 2017
48 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 49
• 2,459 sqft
• Lot 1,963 sqft
• Estimated: $370,001
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 4’ separates each house
Entering the houses by walking is often different than by vehicle. In nearly all instances, houses directly on the public street contain an entrance connecting to the said street. This leaves the interior houses a few options: either having a front door next to the garage or leading users between houses to a front door.
17. 867 Wakefield Drive
Built in 2016
50 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 51
• 2,118 sqft
• Lot 1,916 sqft
• Estimated: $431,400
• 3 bedroom
• 3 stories
• 5’ separates each house
18. 884 Fisher Street Built in 2011
52 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 53
• 2,483 sqft
• Lot 2,364 sqft
• Estimated: $669,900
• 3 bedroom
• 2 stories
• 3’6” separates each house
The final topic for the missing middle phenomenon is greenery found on the site. In most blocks examined, nearly all the greenery was lost. The most common place to find it is in little gardens between garages. Though a few blocks had adequate greenery, they were generally the older iterations that were less focused on needing the biggest houses.
19. 858 Fisher Street Built in 2020
54 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 55
• 2,222 sqft
• Lot 1,960 sqft
• Estimated: $638,200
• 3 bedrooms
• 3 stories
• 3’ separate each house
20. 1819 Ashland Street Built
in 2010
56 0 1/12” = 1’-0” 25 50 100 150
Houston Housing 57
New Orleans
Uniquly similar
Garden District
58
Uptown/Carrolton
New Orleans Housing 59
2.1 Garden District 60
1032 Fourth St
1211 Washington Ave 1539 Washington Ave
1548 Washington Ave 2738 St Charles Ave
New Orleans, which became a city in 1718, contains to some of the oldest architecture in the United States. After facing many natural disasters and fires in the past, this small city contains an identity of resilience, but after Hurricane Katrina, questions of architectural quality have arisen. Only the architecture built on high land bordering the Mississippi River and a few other areas contain the historic architecture the city is known for; the rest is from the twentieth century (Kingsley 716). Many cultures have influenced the vernacular of New Orleans, which assists in its uniqueness of it. Around the 1790s, French colonial architecture developed in the French Quarter with structures facing outward, containing ornamental parterre gardens inside them. A significant emphasis on formal gardens was documented during this time. This was around when the first fire hit the Quarter, after which new laws were introduced changing the look of the buildings. While rebuilding, the Quarter gained a Spanish feel, terraces and flat roofs were introduced to the area. Shortly after the Louisiana Purchase, one to three story houses filled blocks. One of these was the two-story townhouse, an initial hybrid building that kept a shop on the first floor and living quarters on the second floor. Some townhouses kept their courtyards but were now hidden behind large doors. Spanish patio homes were influenced by these new patio houses built in the Quarter (Edwards 18-24).
During the nineteenth century, shotgun houses were implemented in surrounding neighborhoods. These introduced cross-breezes through homes, which were needed in the humid climate. Neighborhoods become distinguished: for example, Uptown had two-story shotgun houses with bay windows, while the Ninth Ward had smaller houses. After the invention of air conditioning, houses closer to the lake were more diverse but still resembled the ranch style popular in the mid-twentieth century. In addition, during the time of expansion, few old pieces of architecture were replaced and were the least impacted by flooding (Kinglsey 717-718).
Today, historical architecture in New Orleans can be examined from a fresh perspective to understand how designs have stood the test of time. Many houses studied are of different styles ranging from bungalows to townhouses. However, neighborhoods still have a homogeneous atmosphere; all styles work well together.
3129 Prytania St 2618 Magazine St
3200 Camp St 2617 Magazine St New Orleans Housing 61
1505 Sixth St
• Townhouse
• Quadplex- 4 units
• 2 stories
• 900 sqft
• Estimated: $402,900
• 2 bedroom
Generally, the New Orleans Townhouse takes a long narrow footprint, uses land efficiently, and is two to three stories high. They are two rooms deep with gabled or hip roofs. Many variations of this style persist, such as the Creole Townhouse, American Townhouse, and Double Gallery. It is also common to have a service wing behind the living quarters.
62 1. 1032 Fourth Street
in
Built
1920
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 63
• Townhouse
• Three duplexes- 2 units
• 2 stories
• 2,724 sqft
• Lot 3,000 sqft
• Estimated: $1,068,100
• 4 bedrooms
64 2. 1211 Washington Avenue
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 65
• Townhouse
• Two duplexes- 2 units
• 2 stories
• 2,257 sqft
• Lot 3,450 sqft
• Estimated: $939,100
• 2 bedrooms
Consistency enables a homogeneous feel around New Orleans neighborhoods; homeowners are encouraged to use specific materials by the HDLC (Historic District Landmarks Commission) on the exterior of their houses. Wood siding, brick, shingle/tile roofs, and concrete are everywhere in these neighborhoods. HDLC argues that they are trying to maintain the building’s or property’s historical type.
66 3. 3200 Camp Street Built in 1995
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 67
1960
• Townhouse
• Three duplexes- 2 units
• 2 stories
• 1,250 sqft
• Lot 2,500 sqft
• Estimated: $664,500
• 3 bedrooms
68 4. 3129
Prytania Street Built in
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 69
• Townhouse
• Six units lined up together
• 2 stories
• 1,874 sqft
• Lot 2,400 sqft
• Estimated: $690,000
• 4 bedrooms
Parking is hard to come by in tight house arrangements; three main variations of driveways were observed. The first type used concrete strips that could bring cars to the end of a house. The second type was a shorter version of the first, ending at about a quarter to halfway beside a house. While the third type utilized space behind the house for parking. However, most cars end up parked on streets in front of houses.
70 5. 1505 Sixth Street Built in
1900
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 71
• Townhouse
• 5 plex
• 3 stories
• 2,484 sqft
• Lot 2,322 sqft
• Estimated: $816,800
• 3 bedrooms
72 6. 1539 Washington Avenue Built in
1978
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 73
• Townhouse
• 5 plex
• 3 stories
• 2,750 sqft
• Lot 2,070 sqft
• Estimated: $716,600
• 3 bedrooms
New Orleans neighborhoods, especially historical ones, have colorful houses and buildings everywhere. Colors range from cozy salmon tones to relaxing green hues, and all stem from Vieux Carre historic color palates. In the current era of New Orleans buildings, there are specific guidelines for what colors owners can paint the exteriors. It is a lengthy process with many permits and specialists needed to fulfill requests. However, it is all in the spirit of keeping the city as a spectacle of the past.
74 7. 2738 St Charles Avenue Built in
1977
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 75
• Shotgun
• Two duplexes- 2 units
• 1 story
• 924 sqft
• Estimated: $433,416
• 2 bedrooms
76 8. 2621 Magazine Street Built in 2016
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 77
• Bungalow and townhouse
• Triplex- 3 units
• 2 stories
• 745 sqft
• Estimated: $776,700
• 2 bedrooms
Many homeowners will modify their properties as they please, sometimes using more than one style. Some owners may have preferred creole-style houses and wanted a second story for more living space with a balcony like the buildings in the French Quarter. Buildings with multiple styles could have been made when one was fading out of popularity and another was growing. Even though adaptations were made, homeowners kept features consistent as to fit in their neighborhoods.
78 9. 2618 Magazine Street Built in 2017
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 79
2.2 Uptown/Carrolton 80
6116 Delord St 2418 Palmer Ave
2408 Palmer Ave 2302 State St
2519 Palmer Ave 2316 State St
6200 Willow St
2626 Palmer Ave 5836 Willow St New Orleans Housing 81
6109 Delord St 2435 Palmer Ave
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 1,400 sqft
• Lot 4,620 sqft
• Estimated: $487,000
• 2 bedrooms
82 10. 6109 Delord Street
Built in 1970 • ?
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 83
• ?
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 900 sqft
• Lot 4,382 sqft
• Estimated: $375,100
• 3 bedrooms
Shotgun houses date back to the 1830s, though they were not introduced to New Orleans until the early 19th century. Due to their efficiency and relatively inexpensive nature, they were the popular choice for the middle and working class for over a century, resulting in them being everywhere. A typical shotgun has long, narrow massing, is only one room wide and about three to five rooms deep with all rooms connected.
“Shotgun doubles,” “Camelback Shotguns,” “Sidehall Shotguns,” and “Side Gallery Shotguns” are all variations of the shotgun house.
84 11. 6114 Delord Street Buit in 1935
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 85
• Shotgun double
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 2,500 sqft
• Lot 4,284 sqft
• Estimated: $877,200
• 5 bedrooms
86 12. 2408 Palmer Avenue
Built in 1930
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 87
• Shotgun double
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 1,872 sqft
• Lot 4,800 sqft
• Estimated: $461,100
• 4 bedrooms
Porches are synonymous with New Orleans. Residents love porches because they enable a more robust community fabric through streets, as well as being great places for staying out of the sun’s path. When asked, New Orleanians say their favorite part of the city is the community, and porches play a significant role in creating that. However, it was observed that not all porches were designed to be social, and some feature walls between shared porches seclude residents from each other. Generally, no walls or small iron fences are found on porches.
88 13. 2519 Palmer Avenue
Built in 1940
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 89
• Shotgun double
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 1,728 sqft
• Lot 5,192 sqft
• Estimated: $560,300
• 4 bedrooms
90 14. 2626 Palmer Avenue
in
Built
1920
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 91
• Townhouse
• Quadplex- 4 units
• 3 stories
• 2,500 sqft
• Lot 6,534 sqft
• Estimated: $460,000
• 4 bedrooms
Creole cottage is another popular style of housing primarily found in older neighborhoods as they are the earliest remaining local housing type from around 1790s-1870s. Creole cottage was a popular style around 1790s-1870s. French and Spanish construction methods heavily influenced this housing vernacular to accommodate the New Orleans climate. Typically, the facade is symmetrical with four openings: either two or four sets of french doors. Above the front facade is a slight overhang to protect against rain. First, iterations were generally made of masonry, but later, houses started using wood siding.
92 15. 6200 Willow Street
Built in 1920
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 93
• Shotgun double
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 946 sqft
• Estiamted: unkown
• 2 bedrooms
94 16. 2435 Palmer Avenue
Built in 1956
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 95
• Shotgun double
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 1,000 sqft
• Lot 4,260 sqft
• Estimated: $512,800
• 2 bedrooms
Italiante was realized in the 19th century and was an interpretation of Italian Renaissance vernacular motifs. These commonly use arch heads, hood moldings, symmetrical facades, and hipped roofs. Their most notable element are long brackets holding up eaves in front of houses, which later on were mixed with shotgun houses. Oftentimes, wood drop butt siding was used on the front facade, and weatherboard was used on secondary faces.
96 17. 2418 Palmer Avenue Built in 1910
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 97
• Duplex- 2 units
• 1 story
• 1,400 sqft
• Estimated: $460,100
• 3 bedrooms
98 18. 5836 Willow Street
Built in 1962 • ?
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 99
Built in 1956
• Bungalow
• Duplex- 2 units
• 2 stories
• 1,000 sqft
• Estimated: $447,300
• 2 bedrooms
Bungalow typology is estimated to originate in India, Indonesia, or the South Pacific and then was imported to Britain in the 19th century. After 1900, it became popular in the United States and found its way to New Orleans after the First World War. Typical bungalows use 1-1.5 stories, are usually one room wide, and have an irregular floor plan. This house has many variations, but each has a concrete front porch underneath an extruded roof cover. They are asymmetrical in composition, with complex roof plans and large dormer windows.
100 19. 2316 State Street
0 1/4” = 1’-0” 25 50
New Orleans Housing 101
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