R-Hauz Blog
Tag: Missing Middle
By: Molly White-Williams | September 30, 2022
Multiple Generations, One Property: The Rise in Multigenerational Living
A well-established way of life in many countries and cultures, multigenerational living is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Canadians, challenging the way we think of the traditional household. Whether attractive for financial reasons, or the ability to facilitate caregiving for family members in a world shaken by a global pandemic, multigenerational living shows no indication of peaking in popularity. According to findings from the 2021 Census, the multigenerational household has increased in growth more than any other Census household type. Why are so many Canadians opting for multigenerational living? Financial Reasons Urban hubs such as Toronto and Vancouver have...
Read MoreBy: Molly White-Williams | August 9, 2022
R-Suite Laneway Home + Garden Suite FAQs
So…you’re interested in constructing an accessory dwelling unit on your property? You’re navigating exciting and unknown territory for many homeowners, we’re sure you have some questions. Here you will find quick answers to some of our clients’ most commonly asked questions! What is the difference between a garden suite and a laneway suite? Laneway and garden suites are supplementary, detached units, typically located in the rear yard of a residential property. A Laneway Suite can only be built on a property that abuts a public laneway. A Garden Suite is a more flexible unit, permitted recently with the dismissal of...
Read MoreBy: Michael Barker | June 23, 2020
Methods of Construction: How We Build Better
We talk about our way of building often, but what processes make it so special really? If you are like me (a newbie in construction), you may be a bit lost.. CLT, Mass Timber, BIM… huh – google – help?! While it may sound complex, the way we build actually adds great value to our products in terms of quality, sustainability, comfort and speed. So we set out to simplify it for you. We sat down with one of founders and head builder, Michael Barker, to give you the lay of the land as it pertains to construction at R-Hauz....
Read MoreBy: Natalie Browne | April 16, 2020
A Research Series Part Two: Challenges In Housing Affordability
As it stands, the city’s current urban infrastructure is incompatible with the demand for affordable housing in Toronto. Combined with this, rising land costs point to the importance of the self-solve model. Property owners looking to improve upon their existing lots or create an additional flow of rental income can do so quickly, conveniently and smoothly – without needing to expand or move around in the GTA. Neptis (2010) identifies this type of infill development, along with gentle densification and scaled growth, as key practices that help contain urban sprawl. Simultaneously, these flexible housing solutions will also help realize economies of scale in delivering...
Read MoreBy: Natalie Browne | April 6, 2020
A Research Series: Housing Affordability and Social Sustainability in Toronto
The following report series will examine how the introduction of gentle densification with R-Hauz products can directly address problems caused by non-sustainable urban growth– distinctively targeting measures to reduce urban sprawl and subsequent social isolation, mitigate the urban heat island effect, provide safe/affordable housing and protect against the loss of urban greenspace and permeable land. Importantly, the introduction of R-Hauz’s products could provide viable housing options for people in need of centralized and affordable housing. At the same time, the customizable nature of these products and the attentive flexibility in design means that these housing solutions can be an attractive...
Read MoreBy: Leith Moore | April 1, 2020
The Laneway: Creating Missing Middle Density In Toronto
Discussions in Toronto surrounding solutions to increase the supply of missing middle housing have been intensifying over the past two years. In an ever more expensive market with ever decreasing rental vacancies the low density neighbourhoods known in urban planning circles as the Yellow Belt (quite naturally as the City Zoning Maps for low density neighbourhoods is yellow) have come under scrutiny as a fertile ground for increased “gentle” densification. The need for more rental housing supply is not in question. The challenge – when we come out of our COVID-19 shutdown – is creating cost effective and community supported rental housing in our lower...
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