Inhabiting Circulation: Integrating Neighbors and Community Within High Density Housing

Abstract

This thesis responds to the interrelated challenges of the affordable housing crisis, the growing epidemic of loneliness, and the diminishing availability of free and accessible public space within high density housing. The most common apartment framework treats units as containers and hallways as corridors to access them as efficiently as possible. Within this framework, the social cohesion of the building has no infrastructure to support it. Neighbors and the resulting communities of these types of housing should be provided places to gather with one another. There are four realms within high density housing: Public, Community, Neighborly, and Private. The community and neighborly realms have not been theorized within the context of high density housing as it is naturally value engineered out of consideration. This thesis argues the most critical moments in high density housing are the threshold and circulation spaces.