The state of housing in Utah faces competing challenges–a housing shortage that cannot be ignored as well as the negative impact of the built environment on the state’s natural resources. A possible solution lies in energy-efficient housing developments that are intentionally designed, built, and occupied. This paper investigates cohousing as a potential model for these developments along with methods for meeting the Energy imperative of the Living Building Challenge. Cohousing’s participatory organization has been shown to generate increased social capital while also providing continuing support for sustainable living. The requirements of the Living Building Challenge are one of the most stringent standards for regenerative design. Its Energy imperative requires 105% of energy to be generated on-site, without using combustion. In addition, a twelve-month performance period proving compliance after occupancy is mandatory for certification. Cohousing, with its generally smaller living spaces, shared resources, and opportunities for increased user accountability, is a natural partner for Living Building Certification, combining energy-efficient infrastructure and systems with occupant accountability for energy-usage.

This paper investigates a case study of a cohousing infill design project located in Salem, Utah, meant to address the city’s rapid suburban growth and under-used inner-city parcels. Sefaira software was used to perform energy modeling on the project to investigate different design strategies for meeting the net-positive energy, no combustion requirements of the Living Building Challenge. By using a split system HVAC, Passivhaus enclosure systems, and high efficiency lighting and appliances, it was determined that roof PV panels could supply these needs. However, without occupant accountability, these measures are shown to prove insufficient. This paper captures the design methods and the research process for the analyzed case study and concludes with recommendations for how cohousing’s social structure could contribute to the continued compliance of the project.

A Masia is a traditional type of construction that originated for agricultural purposes in the early 10th century in the northern Mediterranean side of Spain. This type of construction, also known as Mediterranean or Catalan farmhouse is the main building type in the Mas, an agricultural site composed of the main house (Masia), the agricultural land surrounding it, forests, and ranches. In recent decades, the agricultural policies of the European Union , and the changes in agricultural production, have led to widespread abandonment of these lands, severing the traditional relationship between the farmhouses and their fields. As a result, many Masies have been repurposed into summer homes, secondary residences, rural tourist accommodations, or left abandoned. This paper examines the current state of these farmhouses, focusing on the challenges they face today.

The survey and geographical analysis included in this paper is centered on Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, a small town in the central-southern area of Catalonia, Spain. The methodology combines physical and theoretical approaches, including a chronological analysis to trace the historical events that contributed to the decline of vernacular landscapes and Masies, an evaluation of existing heritage protection policies in Spain, and a survey to determine the current condition of these buildings. Additionally, geospatial mapping and data collection are employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present rural landscape in a specific region.

The findings of this research will target improvements in local heritage conservation policies and procedures, addressing a gap in the protection of Masies, which has thus far remained underdeveloped. Furthermore, the study offers a better understanding and interpretation of the significance of these farmhouses to improve their conservation efforts, as well as their incorporation in rural development plans.

American housing crises extend beyond availability and cost: quality also matters. In places with limited subsidized options, the most affordable housing tends to be the worst by design or by state of disrepair. This paper draws on cases collected by architecture students and faculty to propose an epistemological lens and pedagogical method for addressing subpar housing and housing insecurity.

In the US, housing becomes more affordable as it ages, such that housing designed today will house vulnerable populations several decades after its construction. Some of the best low-rent units are modest, well-built structures from the early-1900s, whereas many of the worst—often verging on uninhabitable—date from the 1970s-1990s. Contemporary “five-over-one” developments also risk early deterioration due to shortcuts and cost-cutting by developers and architects alike. Although policy failures contribute, subpar housing also stems from poor design: windowless bedrooms, poor ventilation, inadequate insulation, and cheap materials to name a few. Poor design choices hasten decay and obsolescence of existing units, only to be replaced with more low-quality structures. This cycle removes once-affordable units from the market, undermines overall housing quality, and perpetuates a pattern of unsustainable construction. In response to these issues, this paper proposes integrating qualitative field research into architectural pedagogy, drawing on examples of a field research course at Mississippi State University and research at the University of Utah. At Mississippi State University, undergraduate teams interviewed tenants, measured and photographed units, and analyzed interviews to curate a public exhibition on housing insecurity. Research in Utah continues this approach, studying design-driven factors that heighten housing vulnerabilities. Both projects serve as educational tools and public forums, highlighting how design decisions shape residents’ daily lives and long-term stability. By teaching future architects to discern and address quality issues, field-based research fosters proactive design strategies that enhance longevity, livability, and dignity in residential architecture.