Mackenzie_Micro Apartments Book

MICRO APARTMENTS

ABOUT MACKENZIE Mackenzie is a provider of professional design services comprised of professionals in architecture and interior design; structural, civil and traffic engineering; land use and transportation planning; and landscape architecture. Anchored in foundational elements of high performance and client focus, Mackenzie brings deep expertise in residential, mixed-use, community infrastructure, workplace, commercial office, industrial, retail, public, high tech, education, healthcare, institutional, and federal projects. For more information, please visit www.mcknze.com or call 503-224-9560.

MICRO APARTMENTS Our cities have a pressing need for housing solutions that address diverse needs, and which can be efficiently implemented in a time of escalating land values and construction costs. With this in my mind, Mackenzie conceptualized a scalable design that achieves high density without sacrificing livability, and supports an affordable community-driven urban lifestyle. Our concept—conceived in Portland but transferrable to any urban area—consists of modular individual units laid out for maximum efficiency, flexibly configured around communal living, cooking, and dining space. Appealing to a spectrum of people in search of sustainable living arrangements and the cultural connections of a tight knit community, Mackenzie’s micro apartments are a creative urban infill solution, and can maximize the value of small parcels of land across a city.

50’

OPTIONAL PARKING

50’

PROJECT SITE 100’

SITE APPROACH DESIGN DRIVERS The prototype is adaptable to most any Portland neighborhood to maximize the opportunities for infill, from the dense urban core to outer residential areas.

The concept leverages Portland’s Group Living parking requirements, which are lower than typical apartment projects.

HIGHER DENSITY

PARKING

50’X100’ LOT (SURFACE PARKING AT GROUND LEVEL)

Based on typical Portland block and lot size serves, the buildings are composed of 12’x19’ individual units, with community and vertical circulation space created by the modular replacement of adjacent units.

The strategy aims for maximum flexibility, and can be used on corner and midblock lots.

On-site parking is possible, depending on unit configuration and density.

LOWER DENSITY

OPTIONAL PARKING

50’X100’ LOT (ADJACENT 50’X100’ LOT COULD PROVIDE SURFACE PARKING)

HIGHER DENSITY INFORMATION Size: 23,100 SF Units: 54 units Unit Size: 228 SF Parking: 10 spaces possible (50’x100’), 42 spaces possible (100’x100’)

DESIGN DRIVERS Designed for a higher-density urban context, this approach maximizes unit count and includes the option of a podium level.

Shared amenity living spaces are visually connected to the surrounding neighborhood, emphasizing a unique and forwardthinking lifestyle, and strengthening communal identity.

Ideal for neighborhoods with a dense urban fabric, heavy foot traffic, and a mix of uses.

5:1 construction with wood framed residential above a podium level containing bike and vehicle parking, and building utilities.

The flexible floor plan is based on 12’x19’ apartment unit modules that can be added or subtracted to match neighborhood context, and customize shared amenity space.

LOWER DENSITY INFORMATION Size: 11,600 SF Units: 34 units (for a three story building) Unit Size: 228 SF Parking: No parking required (50’x100’), 32 spaces possible (100’x100’)

DESIGN DRIVERS Appropriate for lower density neighborhoods, this approach integrates seamlessly with the scale of residential neighborhoods.

The modular design allows developers to flexibly adapt to the lower-profile needs of residential areas, while maintaining the micro apartment vision and efficiency.

Ideal for neighborhoods with a less dense urban fabric.

The flexible floor plan is based on 12’x19’ apartment unit modules which can be added or subtracted to match neighborhood context, and customize shared amenity space.

The design allows up to five stories of economical all light frame construction.

COMMUNAL SPACE DESIGN DRIVERS Communal space plays a pivotal role in the concept: shared living, cooking and dining spaces increase the livability of individual units while providing the basis for a strong community and an innovative modern lifestyle.

The shared functional and social spaces are designed to provide a sense of home and community while supporting higher levels of density.

Communal living spaces create an arrival sequence and provide places outside the unit to relax, cook, socialize, and take an active part in the building’s community.

By pulling kitchens out of individual units, opportunities are created to significantly lower City system development charges and other fees.

Alternatively, the design is flexible enough to accommodate kitchen amenities in individual units if desired by the developer.

LIVABILITY The central objective of our study was an affordable design where density is part of the appeal, and a positive factor in livability. Micro apartments don’t meet the needs of every demographic or family, but they provide an affordable option currently absent from the market. Vibrant communal space is an amenity many prospective tenants actively seek, but the balance can be difficult to achieve, as is the layout of the individual unit. Our scheme overcomes the practical obstacles that trip up others, like the ability to fit a standard bed in a unit. Mackenzie’s designers worked from the inside out, starting by maximizing the efficiency of absolutes, and conceptualizing the building from there.

Providing enough space for a bed and a built-in multi-use counter yielded our 12’x19’ footprint, which can be expanded vertically with the addition of a loft. The module offers meaningful and usable space for occupants where nothing is wasted, and allows for a high level of density on a 50’X100’ site. Options to pre-fabricate either individual units or kitchen/restroom blocks may be considered to add efficiencies.

STANDARD UNITS

STANDARD UNITS

STANDARD UNIT SPACE PLAN

STANDARD ENTRY SECTION

STANDARD KITCHEN/LIVING SECTION

LOFT UNITS

LOFT UNITS

LOFT UNITS MEZZANINE SPACE PLAN

LOFT UNITS SPACE PLAN

LOFT STAIR/LIVING SECTION

LOFT STAIR/LIVING SECTION

LOFT KITCHEN/LIVING SECTION

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