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Visualizing Density Investigating the density challenge facing the United States

Visualizing Density Home
A Bird's Eye View of Density 1. The Density Problem 2. Preconceptions 3. Design Matters 4. Measuring Density 5. What does Density look like? 6. Yards, Streets, Parks & More 7. Location, Location, Context 8. Choosing Density 9. Parking 10. Design tradeoffs 11. Building Up Not Out 12. Vary the Pattern
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A Bird's Eye View

11. Building Up, Not Out

Single-story homes eat up green space by consuming a large proportion of each parcel. (Delano, CA-1.9 units/acre)

In designing for density, placing houses close together is important, but building vertically is essential. A two-story house provides the same living space with half the footprint. Given our penchant for large homes (the average new American house size is 2,200 sq. ft.), arranging single-story houses in a tighter pattern does not yield much density. Even at modest density levels (4-6 units per acre) it consumes an inordinate amount of open space. Building up rather than out not only allows higher densities, it offers opportunities to create significant green space.

Multi-story homes allow for more green space. (Dallas,TX-3.2 units/acre)

Stacking units on four levels helps raise the density above 20 units/acre with plenty of green to spare. (San Francisco, CA)

Next 12. Vary the Pattern: High, Low, and No Density >>

Back << 10. Design Tradeoffs


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