Shifts in Contemporary Multi-Family Architecture
American multi-family architecture has experienced a stunning transformation in recent years, and particularly in urban areas. Multi-family residences, which are most commonly referred to as apartments, are separate housing units for individuals or families within a single building or complex. However, recent architectural shifts in multi-family real estate are completely reshaping the old definition of apartments!
Here are four ways multi-family residences are changing for the better due to architectural initiatives:
- Walkable Communities
- Mixed-Use Developments
- Community Fixtures
Southeast Venture is local and committed to enhancing our Nashville community with every development project, including multi-family architecture. We work with neighborhoods, as needed, to ensure our projects are right for the area while bringing welcomed new opportunities. Learn more.
Walkable Communities
For many tenants, a residence’s walk score can make or break their decision to live there. Walk scores tend to range from 0 to 100 and illustrate how walkable an apartment or neighborhood is in relation to other area amenities.
More architects are thinking purposefully about and incorporating walkable features into their multi-family project designs. Even though walkability is assumed to be a selling factor purely for entertainment and dining purposes, a walkable community is incredibly important for promoting active living, encouraging community engagement, and providing universal accessibility regardless of an individual’s physical ability.
Mixed-Use Developments
Rather than serve a single purpose, multi-family architecture has been reimagined for both its tenants’ benefits as well as its landlords’. In addition to more active-living features like walkability, architects have also dared to dream, What if a multi-family development offered more than a beautiful living space?
Multi-family developments have been reimagined as destinations. Apartments are no longer stand-alone buildings. They also house retail spaces, grocery stores, dining experiences, and fitness centers, to name a few! Tenants have access to a multitude of offerings just by stepping outside their door, and local community members benefit from the mixed-use development, as well.
Read about a real example of a mixed-use, multifamily development right here in Nashville!
Community Fixtures
Speaking of community, architects’ approach to contemporary multi-family developments are becoming more cautious. By strategically planning a development’s overall purpose and considering unintended consequences, architects are more aware than ever of how their work can either gentrify or revitalize a neighborhood.
One way architects are striving for a positive impact is by including something known as a third space in their design projects. Third spaces may look like a community garden, picnic area, or other space that would appeal to a variety of audiences and also offer opportunities for socialization among different racial and ethnic groups and socioeconomic classes.
