Abstracts

The sharing economy is a new economic model of resource sharing and distribution. With an exponential growth in value in the past ten years, it is becoming a major part of the global economy. The impact of the sharing economy extends beyond economic structures and public policies. Based on current literature, it is concluded that the sharing economy has the potential to alter urban form and give rise to new building typologies. The focus of the research is on current housing issue that fast-growing cities like Seattle are experiencing. This thesis proposes that architectural design can employ the sharing paradigm to encourage resource-exchanges and community-based cultures to address problems of high-density living in big cities. Living spaces can be more efficiently utilized to reduce housing costs at the same time enhance quality of life. A three-part approach is devised to demonstrate how the sharing paradigm can be applied to architecture. It includes optimizing spatial uses, redefining privacy, and fostering economic relationships among residents. It is manifested in a new typology of housing rooted in the principles of the sharing economy. This architectural investigation takes place in Capitol Hill - a young neighborhood with a growing population in Seattle. The proposal speculates an alternative model of living that responds to the current socio-economic trends and the rising costs of living in cities.Advisors/Committee Members: Proksch, Gundula (advisor), Miller, David (advisor).