Incremental Housing

Design and Construction with a Focus on Timber Construction and Digital Customization

The global housing crisis necessitates solutions that are both immediately affordable and adaptable for future needs. This research explores incremental housing systems, with a particular emphasis on user participation and modular timber construction, to address the evolving demands of urban living. Drawing upon historical precedents such as Belapur Housing by Charles Correa, Elemental’s “Half House,” and incremental projects in India, the study identifies key principles of flexibility, community, and sustainability. The research critically examines timber structural systems—ultimately adopting the flexible Houtkern Bouwmethode developed by Noordereng Groep—and integrates user-driven design through digital tools such as Grasshopper and Human UI. By developing a configurator that enables residents to personalize and expand their homes, this project demonstrates how incremental, modular, and participatory approaches can enhance quality of life, foster community, and promote sustainable urban development.

This MID Thesis has been developed by former MID student and graduate Marzie Molaei Maqsoudbeki and supervised by Prof. Hans Sachs and Prof. Ulrich Nether