4 ms·

Those are valid objections to fourplexes, but there are still plenty of things in between SFH and fourplexes -- including, most particularly, semi-detached dupl

by scythe 5y ago

Those are valid objections to fourplexes, but there are still plenty of things in between SFH and fourplexes -- including, most particularly, semi-detached duplexes, which are much easier and still double the density on the lot! I do agree that much of the hype about fourplexes is suspect (including the noise isolation of units that are one-atop-another), but there are many other possibilities, including ADUs. Also, small elevators are definitely something that could benefit from an economy of scale, and anyway make a big difference in accessibility for any building above one story. Likewise, the possible designs of multi-unit homes on small lots could become more standardized. And the regulations could improve, and the regulatory institutions could gain more experience handling these kinds of projects. All of that starts with the zoning.

newsclues 5y ago
Or midrises that are between 4plexes and large condos, are another option
- orthoxerox 5y ago
  Five-over-ones are nice medium density units, but they depend on public transit to be viable. If you can't get to work without a car (let's suppose those ground floor stores cover all your shopping needs) you need a parking spot, everyone and their partner needs a parking spot, and now the whole complex is surrounded by a huge parking lot.
  - newsclues 5y ago
    Public transportation, bikes, and car sharing all make sense when cities are designed for it
tialaramex 5y ago
Small elevators get to use a potentially cheaper and easier option. In a tall building the elevator is suspended from cables, because that's the only practical option, but with only three-four floors of rise you can use hydraulics from below instead, this also puts the equipment room down at the bottom of the shaft instead of on the roof, so now you don't need roof access for routine maintenance.
treis 5y ago
>semi-detached duplexes, which are much easier and still double the density on the lot! They built a duplex by me and the combined units went for less than what a SFH would have gone for. Plus I imagine it was more expensive to build. I think it only makes sense where the lot is big enough to fit 2 essentially full SFHs as a duplex.

by scythe 5y ago

newsclues 5y ago

Or midrises that are between 4plexes and large condos, are another option

orthoxerox 5y ago
Five-over-ones are nice medium density units, but they depend on public transit to be viable. If you can't get to work without a car (let's suppose those ground floor stores cover all your shopping needs) you need a parking spot, everyone and their partner needs a parking spot, and now the whole complex is surrounded by a huge parking lot.
- newsclues 5y ago
  Public transportation, bikes, and car sharing all make sense when cities are designed for it

tialaramex 5y ago

Small elevators get to use a potentially cheaper and easier option. In a tall building the elevator is suspended from cables, because that's the only practical option, but with only three-four floors of rise you can use hydraulics from below instead, this also puts the equipment room down at the bottom of the shaft instead of on the roof, so now you don't need roof access for routine maintenance.

treis 5y ago

>semi-detached duplexes, which are much easier and still double the density on the lot! They built a duplex by me and the combined units went for less than what a SFH would have gone for. Plus I imagine it was more expensive to build. I think it only makes sense where the lot is big enough to fit 2 essentially full SFHs as a duplex.