New York City has granted waivers to its building codes on some projects to foster the development of micro apartments.
An impetus for this action was to create more housing in a city that has a shortage of affordable units, but the first projects to construct tiny apartments have been oriented to a higher-income clientele. One such building comes with custom-made furniture, a weekly cleaning service, and an app-based “butler” that can arrange dry cleaning and grocery pick up services.
Such high-end developments may lay the ground work for affordable micro-apartment projects by alleviating the stigma associated with tiny living units, some housing experts point out. Some New Yorkers associate micro-apartments with the cramped tenements of the past. But successful luxury projects could provide proof-of-concept for affordable micro-apartments, boosters say.
Critics point out that that a 300 sf unit may be fine for single people, but many of those in need of affordable housing are families that need more space. New York’s City Council is considering a measure to allow micro-apartments to be constructed within affordable housing complexes with conventionally sized units.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 8, 2018
Powerhouse coalition builds energy positive buildings
The goal: build buildings that provide more power than they cost to build, run, and demolish.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2018
Plan advances in Los Angeles for Climate Emergency Mobilization Department
Would oversee efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 2, 2018
Energy Department releases Updated EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools
The tools can now accept input in epJSON format.
Codes and Standards | May 1, 2018
ASHRAE publishes new energy simulation-aided design standard
Requires building energy modeling during schematic design.
Codes and Standards | Apr 30, 2018
CALGreen projects pre-approved for streamlined LEED v4 requirements
Reduces need to run additional energy models.
Codes and Standards | Apr 26, 2018
New standard supports community resilience
ASTM International guidance supports cost-effective ways to withstand and recover from disasters.
Codes and Standards | Apr 25, 2018
Lessons learned from decades of Superfund cleanups guide contaminated land reuse
Sites repurposed for residential, commercial use, and solar energy generation.
Codes and Standards | Apr 24, 2018
Vibrant downtown core the key for urban multifamily development
Nighttime activity makes the difference.
Codes and Standards | Apr 19, 2018
ILFI launches new Zero Carbon Certification
Offers greater flexibility around project fuel types and offsetting renewables.