Missing Middle Housing
In June 2025, Principal Lea Litvin served on the jury for an ADU competition that will explore Philadelphia's "missing middle" housing market, an incredibly critical housing typology that impacts both affordability and availability by bridging the gap between single-family homes and high-rise apartments.
As cities like Philly grapple with skyrocketing housing costs, density debates, and shifting demographics, one solution is gaining traction: Missing Middle Housing, a term coined by architect Daniel Parolek. These human-scaled, multi-unit dwellings provide a unique balance of affordability, walkability, and community-oriented design intended to address the city’s housing gap.
Integration: Unlike large apartment towers, MMH integrates seamlessly into neighborhoods, maintaining a scale and character similar to single-family homes.
Walkability: These housing types are typically located in mixed-use areas with access to public transportation, amenities, and local businesses.
Affordability by Design: Without requiring government subsidies, MMH provides more attainable housing options by offering smaller, efficiently designed units.
Diverse Options: MMH caters to a range of household types, including young professionals, small families, empty nesters, and multigenerational households.
Community-Oriented: By fostering denser, low-rise development, MMH supports vibrant, connected communities where residents are more likely to engage with their neighbors.
One increasingly popular solution within the Missing Middle Housing framework is Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
As cities seek innovative ways to increase housing diversity and affordability, ADUs have emerged as a vital component of the Missing Middle Housing strategy.
We can’t wait to see the innovative solutions that emerge from these competition entries – the charrette had over 60 participants with 15 professional volunteers and AIA + Collaborative staff.
Clearly this topic has struck a note with our design community and, as we do, many other designers are passionate about "The Missing Middle" as a means of impacting housing affordability throughout our city.
How do you see Missing Middle Housing shaping the future of our cities?
