Holistic Housing Design Toolkit: Density Alphabet Set

UNDERSTANDING DENSITY

7 Design Considerations for Comfortable Density and 26 Massing Variations for a Two-Acre Block

Density Alphabet Set

Which densities, attributes, and amenities will best serve your future neighborhood needs?

Hawai‘i Housing Lab was ignited by a collaboration between the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority and the University of Hawai‘i through the UH Community Design Center

© 2023 Karla Sierralta & Brian Strawn

In this set:

• 26 Massing Variations For a 2-acre block

• 7 Design Considerations For Comfortable Density

At a glance

The 26 massing studies presented in the “Density Alphabet” focus on formal and organizational implications, such as positioning, the orientation of spaces, volume attributes, and location of openings.

There are seven design considerations that informed the alphabet based on the experience of pedestrians and residents.

• Permeability at grade

• Massing & Proportion of Street-facing Volumes

• Programming at Street Level

• Parking & Mobility

• Unit Mix

• Floor Plan Layout

• Building Massing & Organization

What’s on the card?

Design Consideration Affecting pedestrian or residential experiences

Design Consideration Card

Design Action

Reference Number

Reference to Imagine Your Community Cards

Diagram

Illustrating considerations

Design Action

Reference number and action name

At a glance

The Density Alphabet presents 26 massing variations for multi-use housing projects from low to high rise. All studies based on Lot size: 90,000 sf Acres: 2.07

What’s on the card?

Density Alphabet Card

Reference Letter

Organized from low to High rise and density ranges

Dwelling Units per Acre

Key metric for comparing densities

Unit Count

Total dwelling units for this massing

Floor Area Ratio

The percentage of built space compared to the size of the site

Isometric

Overall view of the massing highlighting uses, open space, communal terraces, and shared roof gardens.

See color key.

Stories

Number of stories in towers and podiums

Variation Ranges

DENSITY RANGE

Variations of U-Z with lower heights.

U-Z

High-Rise 13-40 Stories

BUILDING HEIGHT

Mid-Rise 5-12 Stories

Possible, iterations risk inefficient use of space.

Variations of G-T with lower heights, or variations of A-F with additional towers.

G-T

Explore 2-6 story podiums with towers up to 12 stories.

A-F

Low-Rise 1-4 Stories

Explore 4-story walk-ups and podiums, no towers.

Explore 3-6 story podiums with towers up to 39 stories.

Iterations risk overcrowding

Color Key

• Residential — Residential floors and rooftops

• Potential Terraces — Rooftops in-sight within the property with potential for common terraces. Light to dark from lowest to highest off ground plane.

• Flex/Commercial — Potential spaces for other uses or residential at grade

• Open Space — Open spaces at grade

• Parking — At grade, in structures

Think about: Which densities, attributes, and amenities will best serve your future neighborhood needs?

Sort by:

• Density Range

• Dwelling Units per Acre

• Floor Area Ratio

Pair with:

• Case Study Cards

Compare to:

• Imagine Your Community Cards Building Realm

Permeability at grade

Permeability at grade offers opportunities for common or public areas, allows rain water to percolate naturally and creates more walkable communities by inviting pedestrians to cross large blocks.

* 3.2 Weave in parks and plazas; 4.2 Democratize the street; 5.1 Foster water consciousness; 6.1 Multiply productive lands; 7.1 Power active lifestyles; 12.1 Take play seriously.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Massing & Proportion

“IMAGINE

4.1 4.2

* 4.1 Respect human scale; 4.2 Democratize the street

Lower structures along the street hide taller structures from pedestrian view. The proportion of these volumes should consider human scale and urban continuity.

YOUR COMMUNITY” DESIGN STRATEGY & ACTION*

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Programming at street level

Designing for the cross ventilation and natural lighting requirements of the most restrictive uses (i.e. with residential) allows for programmatic flexibility and adaptability.

* 2.1 Facilitate friendly interactions; 3.1 Promote hybrid neighborhoods; 3.3 Blend civic spaces into daily life; 5.2 Leverage cross-breezes; 6.3 Spark skill sharing; 8.3 Anticipate future change; 9.3 Activate micro-businesses; 11.1 Set aside flex space

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Parking & Mobility

Pedestrian experience

4.3 8.3

Commercial or green spaces can serve as visual buffers to hide parking from street and residential living. Spaces for parking should be designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate other modes of transportation (i.e. bikes, car sharing) and consider future conversion to other uses.

* 4.3 Amplify community mobility; 8.3 Anticipate future change

“IMAGINE YOUR COMMUNITY” DESIGN STRATEGY & ACTION*

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Unit Mix

“IMAGINE YOUR COMMUNITY” DESIGN STRATEGY & ACTION*

1.1 7.2 11.2

A mix of residential units in a variety of shapes and sizes promotes a diversity of occupants.

* 1.1 Enable co- and multi-generational living; 7.2 Provide lanais for all; 11.2 Prioritize flexibility and variety

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Floor Plan Layout

Residential experience

5.2 7.2 8.2

11.2

Single loaded corridors allow operable windows on two sides. Double loaded corridors with bays or corridors open to the exterior also offer potential for cross ventilation. Other open spaces can serve as inhabitable terraces, shared spaces for gardens or play.

* 5.2 Leverage cross-breezes; 7.2 Provide Lanais for all; 8.2 Aim for efficiency; 11.2 Prioritize flexibility and variety

“IMAGINE YOUR COMMUNITY” DESIGN STRATEGY & ACTION*

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Building Massing & Organization

Offset or perpendicularly arranged volumes allow for unobstructed views from main living areas. Spacing in between structures permits flow of natural light and ventilation.

* 2.1 Facilitate friendly interactions; 2.3 Open sigh lines; 5.2 Leverage cross-breezes; 5.3 Mind the sun; 7.2 Provide lanais for all; 7.3 Protect views and privacy