Supportive Bungalow Ruth Shiferaw Lyceum 2020: Belt Tightening - Bungalows for the Millennial Family Faculty Advisor: Terry Boling The Bungalow once represented the American dream as a symbol of residential design & economic progress in Chicago. What allowed for the progression of majorly white communities in cities was also a part of a long lasting crisis that set black and brown people for so long that many became stuck living in social and economic isolation. Because these minorities were prevented from participating in the housing market in the past, they were prevented from being able build wealth, which white families have been doing due to home ownership. This issue is part of the reason why these communities have struggled to progress and has led to unemployment, unequal education, increases in crime, exploitation, etc. Having wealth makes it easier for people to pursue education, work, start business and move to new neighborhoods. The architectural problem is that single family houses aren’t affordable to the people in neighborhoods, such as that of this project’s site, and the houses aren’t sustainable or compatible with the current day realities and needs of families. I see the solution as beginning to assist these communities in building wealth and providing a solid foundation for them to help themselves. To provide a system in which these families can afford to establish homeownership, then build more wealth by making an income from the house, and implementing a structure that’s adaptable to meet future needs, such as needing to downsize or upsize. Allowing room for units to be rented out by the homeowners is meant to support the families, while the adaptability of the structure helps keep up with the flexible family types we see today. The aim is to reimagine the bungalow in terms of a new American dream, which includes flexibility, affordable living, greener decisions and an interactive lifestyle.
Chicago Poverty Rates 2011
1960 White
Black
White
Black
7.4%
29.7%
10.9%
34.1%
Chicago Unemployment Rates 2012
1968 White
Black
White
Black
2.3
7.6%
8.1%
19.5%
Racial Wealth Gap
A research study by Demos, base
Program Participation panel in 201 equalizing homeownership rates
Homeownership rates
-11% cha
gap
Income
Average wealth of white families Average wealth of black families
0
20k
40k
Site
ed on data from the Survey of Income and
My strategy begins with providing the opportunity to establish
11, showed potential effects of
homeownership for those in the community, as it isn’t easy for many,
and income between black and white families.
through affordability and the ability to maintain their home over time, and also a way to make an income from the house. Both to support
Median wealth before equalizing Reduction of wealth gap
-31% change in gap
ange in
p
60k
80k
100k
120k
those in this community and help them progress.
Average family size + 2 rentable units
Larger fam + 3 rentable u generational
Second Level
First Level
mily size units/potential family space
Smaller family size + 3 rentable units
Second Level
Second Level
First Level
First Level