20
Sep

Different Housing Typologies: Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, Condos

There are many different housing typologies to consider when starting a new development project. As a developer, your desired business model determines the type of house you will want to build. Are you looking to develop and sell single-family homes for a quick profit? Or do you want to build a triplex and rent out all three units for passive income? These are important questions to consider while brainstorming your future development program.

In this article, the Robertson Architecture team will discuss the various housing typologies you can consider for your development project. Our experts are available to guide you through every step of the architectural design and development process, from concept to construction.

The Role of Housing Typologies in Communities

A community needs various housing structures to support its residents’ needs. Diverse housing typologies allow people to live in communities at a variety of price points, making them more accessible. That is why zoning regulations exist: to manage the density and safety of the community.

Zoning laws determine the housing typology you can build on a given property. If a lot is zoned for only single-family, in order to build a duplex, triplex, or condo building on the lot, you petition to have it rezoned to multi-family and succeed. This example is one reason why having an architect on your team early in the development process is crucial, as they are well-versed in zoning and code regulations. Architects will perform a site analysis to ensure the property you’re interested in purchasing can support the structure you want to build, saving you from problems down the road.

Housing Typologies: Single-Family, Duplex, Triplex, Condo

There are four housing types that you’ll see in almost every community. These are the most common projects among developers because there is a high need for them to make sure there is enough housing in a community, and some of these options can increase the density of an area. Beyond these four housing types, there are also townhouses, apartment buildings, mixed-use buildings, and more. Today, we’re focusing on single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and condos.

Single-Family Home:

  • A single-family home is a self-standing structure designated for residential use with no walls attached to another building. The size can vary. On the low side, they can start around 700 square feet; on the high end, they can be 4,000 square feet or more. A single-family home typically offers residents more space and features an outdoor area, depending on the lot size. For developers looking to build and sell, constructing a single-family home is an opportunity to make a return on their investment in the short term.

Duplex:

  • A duplex is a two-family development option with two residential units within one structure. These units are often side by side, mirroring each other on both the interior and exterior. They share one wall down the center of the structure that separates the units, which typically split the backyard. A duplex is a more affordable way for residents to get into the market via both buying and renting compared to single-family homes. Developers can build a duplex and sell either side to different owners. They could also keep the property in their portfolio and rent each side of the duplex to tenants.

Triplex:

  • A triplex is a multi-family development project with three residential units within a single structure. The layout of a triplex is typically one unit per floor. Each unit has a private kitchen, living space, and bedrooms/bathrooms. The entrance to the three units is via a shared hallway staircase. The layout for each unit will often be similar, but there may be some variations depending on the floor plan. Triplexes are usually cheaper to rent or buy than single-family homes and duplexes. They also traditionally span less square footage than a single-family home or a duplex. A triplex is an excellent development opportunity for those wishing to build a rental income portfolio.

Condo:

A condominium building is different from the above housing typologies as a condominium serves as a community inside of a community. A condo is different from an apartment because apartments are usually rentals, and residents in a condo building often own their units. In a condo, the resident owns the space within their unit, but they do not own anything outside their front door. The joint condo community maintains shared spaces, including hallways, elevators, stairwells, sidewalks, and amenities. The upkeep of these community areas is typically paid for by a homeowners association that manages the community budget and maintenance, to which owners pay a monthly or annual fee. Condominium buildings are an excellent option for developers with capital looking to create high-end multi-family living opportunities to sell to residential buyers.

As a developer, it’s essential to stay up-to-date and find holes in the housing market that your development projects can fill. If there is a surplus of single-family homes, but the area lacks duplexes and triplexes, then that could be a good next move for your development business. Pay attention to market trends to see what housing typology is in the most demand in your area.

Check Out Our Design Portfolio Today!

Single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and condos are a few of the most common housing typologies developers should familiarize themselves with. These are often the housing types that are in the most demand, as they create accessibility for community residents depending on their budget and home size needs. For developers, these are all excellent options for your building portfolio and serve different requirements based on the interests of your business model.

At Robertson Architecture, we have experience designing many housing typologies for our clients. Whether you want to build a single-family home, duplex, triplex, condo, townhome, or another housing type, we are ready to partner with you to bring your vision to life. Take a look at our portfolio to see if we are the right fit for your next development project, then send us a message to set up a meeting!

Author:  David Robertson is an Atlanta based architect and founder of Robertson Architecture.  Robertson Architecture on the premise of helping entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals exceed their goals.

In 2018, Robertson Architecture was formed with the single focus of helping homeowners and entrepreneurs exceed their goals. The firm works with custom residential homes, townhouses, restaurants, and hotels all across the Southeast. David has a passion for helping entrepreneurs and homeowners realize their dreams.

With over 10 years of experience, David spent the beginning part of his career working on small to medium sized commercial projects across the U.S., including hospitality projects, office buildings, multi-family, and custom homes.

 

David Robertson founder of Robertson Architecture