Collectivizing Small Homes: Modular Cohousing for Rural Towns

Abstract

As rural economies in Ontario transition out of their agrarian roots, housing stock remains misaligned with the needs of growing single adult households. This thesis investigates how modular cohousing can be designed to respond to the growth of single adult households in rural communities. It hypothesizes that cohousing typologies could provide single adults with adequate housing when paired with collectivized ownership and implemented through modular construction techniques. This would allow cohousing to respond to the needs of single adult households; to be built cheaply and sustainably, prevent social isolation, and adapt to residents' changing lifestyles. Prince Edward County is chosen as testing ground because of the severe housing crisis, contextualizing affordability criteria and design tools. These are then tested across in the downtown fabric of Picton, demonstrating how modular cohousing could provide single adults with radical alternatives to market solutions, to support various lifestyle choices and housing ideals.