DuoHome provides flexibility and customization for a wide range of buyers, while staying authentic to the unique, historic urban context of St. Louis. DuoHome offers a fresh interpretation of the classic St. Louis Row House, paired with a multi-functional, income-generating rear accessory building. This duality activates both the street and the alleyway, providing space for ADUs & entrepreneurs.
Leverage mass vacancies to resize the typical lot & add density/ affordability
The multitude of vacant lots across St. Louis, calls for higher density development to connect the City’s broken urban fabric and to provide greatly needed, entry & mid-range housing. The greater the amount of localized vacant lots on a block, the greater the opportunity to rethink what is “typical”. Large lots with large single family homes are not attainable or maintainable for your average St. Louis homebuyer.
attract a diverse community
Flexible housing can be designed to attract a wide range of residents, including first time buyers, growing families, entrepreneurs and retirees.
CREATE ADAPTABLE HOUSING
Now more than ever, we’re asking our homes to accommodate a growing list of demands including: working from home, a growing family, live-in guests, side gigs, hobbies, start-ups, etc.
RECLAIM THE ALLEY for income
DuoHome activates both the residential street front AND the rear alleyway; offering residential amenities along with an accessory building ready to be adapted into an income-generating space.
big picture
St. Louis has a range of typical lot sizes, from 25’ to 45’ wide by 120′ to 180′ long, which historically only accommodate one residence each. An avenue towards affordability is to double the density, by accommodating two single-family residences per lot. Smaller lot sizes can lead to a stronger community, offering urban dwellers more time to enjoy shared green space instead of maintaining a large private yard.
GRAND CENTER
DuoHome as new, full block development, suitable for large expanses of vacant properties. Neighborhoods such as Grand Center offer a strong peripheral context with cultural destinations, but lack connectivity. Large areas of “dead” properties are ripe for partitioning into more affordable, smaller lots.
FOUNTAIN PARK
DuoHome as lot-by-lot infill, appropriate for neighborhoods defined by side-by-side dwellings and vacancies, like Fountain Park. The insertion of rear accessory buildings as a part of DuoHome and as additions to existing residences can transform the alleys from no-man’s-land, into safer, commerce-focused micro-streets.
Lasalle park
DuoHome as a gradient development between existing residential and commercial zones. While lacking in vacancies, LaSalle Park is characterized by underdeveloped lots and disconnected streets. DuoHome as 70% commercial, 30% residential infill offers an appropriately scaled frontage to both the historic residential neighbors and the more industrial businesses.
How do you rebuild entire vacant blocks?
how do you reclaim unused space on oversized parcels?
how do you transition from residential to commercial zones?
“DuoHome is not a one-off spec home, but an adaptable prototype for affordable urban infill. ”
Meg holmes