Hillside Court : a study in quality design

Abstract

Hillside Court is a low-cost housing proposal for modest income families. The project was approached with the belief that a quality design does not have to cost more. By minimizing the square footage and efficiently using materials and construction, the architect can make a difference in the quality of inhabitable space.The Hillside Court project includes 10 units--8 family units with each having 1,840sq.ft; and 2 units comprised of one handicap apt. and one single bedroom apt., each having a total of 920sq.ft. The units sit on a 136.5'x210' site, directly outside the Prospect Hill Historical District on the southern face of Mt. Auburn in Cincinnati, Ohio. The neighborhood has a rich architectural fabric of 19th century townhouses, most of which are under renovation.The design, itself, was conceived with a focus on the community rather than on the individual. The units revolve around a central community space in a way that the design encourages community interaction. The sharing of common spaces, such as parking, a playground, and a patio area, help to build a support network with the neighbors. It is conceived that this network will not only enrich the environment of Hillside Court, but also the individual families units.