Missing Middle Infill Housing

In 2023, the Chicago Architecture Center facilitated a design competition for Missing Middle Infill Housing, highlighting innovative ways of reimagining Chicago’s single-family home, two- and three-flat, rowhouse, and six-flat typologies to better meet modern living.

Chicago enjoys a rich history of innovation in residential architecture. Shining examples include the city’s famed Bungalow belts, Courtyard buildings, and Greystones which took shape during the city’s boom years over the early 20^th century. This “middle density” housing, which lies between detached single-family housing and large multi-family apartment complexes, offered an expanding middle class attractive opportunities to live in dense bustling neighborhoods.

But times do change, and today many working class Chicagoans struggle to find quality housing within their budget requirements. As our municipal government looks to build more supply, the Chicago Architecture Center arranged a design competition that asked architects to reimagine “missing middle” housing stock in order to meet contemporary needs. What we received back covers a wide range of design ideas addressing everything from sustainability concerns, to supports for work-from-home needs, to better access to light and fresh air, and much more—all in modest, buildable, and replicable forms. We invite you to investigate the architects’ work.

Design Catalog

Features drawings for all 32 short-listed submissions, along with an essay that looks deeper into Chicago's missing middle challenges.

Download the Catalog

Attention: Interested Real Estate Developers

If you wish to learn more about these designs or get connected to the architects, please write our team at programs@architecture.org. Title your email “Missing Middle Housing.”

Also, please consider applying to the City of Chicago’s Missing Middle Infill Housing Request for Applications. Applications accepted October 1 – November 15, 2024.

Winner: Six-Flats

ParkFowler Plus - The Courtyard Shift

Winner: Two- and Three-Flats

Dirk Denison Architects - Chicago Switch-Flat

WINNER: Rowhouses

Future Firm - Readymade Row

WINNER: Single-Family Homes

Vladimir Radutny Architects - r_Home

THE JURY

Reed Kroloff
Dean and The Rowe Family College of Architecture Endowed Chair, Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture
Catherine Baker
Founder, Nowhere Collaborative
Jackie Koo
Principal, KOO Architecture
Brian Lee
Consulting Partner, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Leon Walker
Managing Partner, DL3 Realty

HOW WE GOT TO THE FINAL DESIGNS: A TIMELINE

Winter 2022/2023

In conjunction with the City of Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Center issued an open call for interested designers of “missing middle density” infill housing.

Spring 2023

Qualified design teams were invited to participate in a public exhibition at the Chicago Architecture Center, showcasing each teams’ initial design schemes.

Fall 2023

The City of Chicago begins a push to establish a dedicated funding source for naturally occurring affordable housing in the city, including support for new “missing middle density” housing.

Spring 2024

City Council approves a $1.25 billion bond issue that will help fund a slate of progressive housing and economic development initiatives over a five-year period ending in 2028.

Fall 2024

Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development launches a $75 million program to build “missing middle housing” in neighborhoods on the South and West sides in an effort to provide lower-cost, owner-occupied for-sale housing options and repopulate communities after a decades-long population decline.

Chicago Architecture Center announces the winners of its Missing Middle Infill Housing Design Competition, and releases all 32 short-listed designs as a free resource to the public.