Nino Chen
Vernacular Holding Field
Somewhere Around Ordinary
Bread Cures All
DAGMO
Diverge
Mixed-Use-Houston
History-Urbanism Hub
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Reimagining of Chicago Courtyard Housing Typology
In the contemporary housing landscape, particularly in Chicago, housing has largely fallen into a "developer-driven model"—a capitalistic approach focused on maximizing profits. However, from the perspective of dwellers, two types of housing often appear more appealing: either the "dream house," which is fully customized to meet personal desires, or economically efficient housing designed for temporary living and future resale.
Chicago's courtyard housing typology offers a compelling alternative by addressing "the missing middle" housing market.
It's a typology could be considered a “builder’s dream” due to its potential standardization (four slabs stacked upon each other), flexibility (can be easily reconfigured for different lot types), economic feasibility (materials and building construction techniques are local and standard to Chicago), and speed of construction (due to their standardization, these projects are delivered quickly and abundantly).
For dwellers, this typology holds potential for unit variety, rich materiality, increased natural light, and the formation of larger residential communities.
The concept of "Somewhere Around Ordinary" seeks to disrupt the developer-driven model through a methodology called "smuggle architecture." By observing and recognizing the valuable qualities in ordinary housing, this approach subtly integrates design into familiar forms, transforming them from within. The result is a space and identity that feels inherently "Chicago," while quietly replacing and reimagining elements of the ordinary.