Townhouse design may seem simple, but each townhouse is a complex balance of individuality and context, beauty and efficiency. Below are web resources about townhouse design issues. Please send suggestions to afrey at ccresfl dot com.
Photos:
- Townhouse Center Photo Pool
- ROWHOUSE Photo Pool
- Skyscraper City
- Skyscraper Page
- Image gallery from Urban Dwelling Studio, University of Miami School of Architecture, Fall 2009
Planning
- New World Economics — Frequent posts on urbanism
- Old Urbanist — Fine research and writing
- Strong Towns — Compact development costs less and generates more taxes
- Transit Miami — Wide-ranging and Miami-based
- Urban Lovers — “Dedicated to those who prefer living in a townhouse or condominium.”
Design Guidelines
Several cities have published townhouse design guidelines. Try a search on the web or check out the examples below.
- Mountain View, California: Rowhouse Guidelines and Townhouse Guidelines
- New York City, New York, Landmarks Preservation Commission: Rowhouse Manual
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Rowhouse Manual
- Toronto, Canada: Infill Townhouse Design Guidelines
Not officially endorsed by a particular city, but suggestions nonetheless:
Typologies – Townhouse
- Townhouses in Miami: Case Studies video parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and accompanying slides
- Brown Design Studio plans for 14-, 18-, and 30-feet wide townhouse prototypes
Typologies – Shophouse
- Penang Shophouses, including “What Is a Shophouse?“, “Penang Shophouse Styles“, and handy one-page chart
Frontage/Facade
- Brown Design Studio presentation on frontage elements
Efficient Floorplan
- Slow Home including “Design Minute” videos for townhouse floorplan, entry, kitchen, dining area, and staircase
Adaptable Use
- Open Building — “The best buildings are those able to change use”
Green
Lifecycle
- Lifecycle Building — “Buildings that facilitate and anticipate future changes and eventual adaptation or dismantling”
- Public Architecture Design For Reuse Primer
