The core of this infill housing proposal for Chicago is to preserve a mid-block void, creating opportunities for participation, improvisation and expansion. This flexibility allows our Starter Home to grow into a Forever Home.

A bare-bones three-story Rowhouse stands as the minimum-viable solution to the problem of the starter house. The 3-Bed, 3-Bath, 1,300 sf starter configuration can be a single family home or be subdivided into a Two-Flat, creating an in-law unit or home business space at ground level.

The narrow module of the starter home to allows for a bonus fifth rowhouse to be added to the typical four-parcel site, creating a five-home elevation at the street. Alternating homes are pushed back slightly, producing enclosed front yards and variation at the street.

This alternating, staggered site plan continues at the rear of the site, with rental units in Carriage Houses providing opportunities for Wealth Building, and additional parking between garages. The building line of each Rowhouse extends fully to the rear setback, creating a template for future infill. By leaving the middle of the site “missing,” we create the opportunity for future improvisations for each building owner: gardens, screen porches, and rental units transform each Starter Home into a permanent solution.