Flex unit types

The DPZ-designed units in Atlanta, built by Beazer Homes, demonstrate the versatile nature of the flex house. Like nearly all flex houses, they do not have raised foundations, so the first floor is at grade. This is vital for commercial units facing a street. All units are alley-loaded and have no front setback. Here’s a quick overview of the Atlanta units, plus one additional type: The Loft is a small (1,060 square feet) but wide open unit that can be built very inexpensively. This is the typical artist’s studio design, where the workplace and living area are fully integrated. Architect Andres Duany also calls this type the “live-within.” The loft is suitable for knowledge workers “as they do not tolerate the walk-in trade of retail or food service.” Loft units are generally built on their own lots, and not stacked as in a loft apartment building. They are similar to townhouses in form. They can be used entirely for commercial, residential, or a combination of the two. The Liveabove is a three-story 3,666 sq. ft. live/work unit, also known as a shopfront. Most flex houses in new urbanist communities take this form. Similar units have been built in Seaside and Kentlands. The Lifespan house places the primary residential behind the commercial space. This unit offers a high level of flexible configurations achieved with the simple opening or closing of doors. The second floor can be part of the commercial or residential space, or all can be interconnected. This unit can also accommodate an extended family, and adjusts to a family’s changing needs over time. The front commercial space can be used as a two-bedroom townhouse. The majority of the house is on ground level, making it useful for empty nesters. The Lifespan is designed for a larger lot than the Loft or Liveabove, and can more easily fit into a block of detached single homes. In addition to Atlanta, a version of the Lifespan house has been built in I’On, a new urbanist project in South Carolina. The Liveinfront, the only one of the four not built in Atlanta, “is a single-family house where the workplace is behind the living quarters.” Generally built in the form of a townhouse, the commercial space is located between the house and the rear garage, and is accessed from the outside via a side passage with separate entrance. The commercial space can also be used as a downstairs bedroom.