Subtle density in the suburbs: reimagining the 1960s walk-up apartment block

As cities grow the older building stock is gradually replaced by new buildings. Ideally, these newer buildings are higher quality, more sustainable and better suited to our contemporary needs. But that is not necessarily the case, and there is a risk that current approaches to urban renewal will produce lower amenity, less flexible and less sustainable buildings than those they are replacing. Take the example of the 1960’s walk-up apartment block. Although frequently derided for being unattractive, utilitarian and cheap, we have come to celebrate design features that are seldom found in contemporary apartment developments: narrow footprints that allow cross ventilation, flexible floorplans, minimal use of shared walls, low maintenance design, and a modest human scale. As these buildings become older and pressure for renewal mounts, there will inevitably be calls to rezone and redevelopment these areas to higher densities to make the process of demolition and redevelopment financially viable. But is there another way?