Alyeemomi Amaral

A new typology for middle-income housing in Hilo, Hawaii, is developed by adapting the single-family house to create an alternative to urban crowding and suburban exclusivity. The built form acts as a transitional element between the urban core and the suburban developments to mitigate sprawl. Hilo, like many other areas in Hawaii County, faces a critical housing shortage for the middle-income demographic. Due to cost, the current housing market is inaccessible in terms of ownership and rentals. The unit aggregation strategy increases density while preserving privacy and providing connection to shared outdoor spaces. In response to site conditions, a catalog of floor plans was created. Each unit type has a central structural core with perimeter posts and beams. The resulting open floor plan provides flexibility. Layers of outdoor living spaces connect to shared outdoor spaces. Free-standing units are separated by pockets of green space. This strategy provides a stronger connection to nature and to the community. A central core is comprised of double walls to resist shear and to serve as a plumbing chase. Concrete footings raise the structure off the ground to mitigate flood damages.

Faculty Kate Bilyk

Awards Spring Show Prize for Outstanding M.Arch Thesis Project