City of Gary Housing Templates

House Plan Designs to Accelerate Regeneration in Gary, Indiana

Published in May 2025

Case Study Overview

The City of Gary still has a wide range of housing types that provide an excellent precedent for neighborhood-friendly, human-scaled residences. Single-family homes of all sizes coexist with duplexes, triplexes, four-plexes, and larger multifamily structures. With many of these homes now sporadically missing and current resident spending power limited by decades of disinvestment, a new infill strategy must provide both affordability and place-based design. The designs proposed in this case study draw from the character of existing Gary residences, incorporating neighborhood-friendly elements such as front porches, hip roofs, and thoughtful window placement. These are paired with cost-conscious design strategies – like simple building forms and standardized details – as well as modern interior layouts that meet contemporary needs, including updated kitchens, bathrooms, and closet space.

Current Status

Architect of record engaged to produce construction drawings. Gary has many narrow residential lots, which have been illegal to build on without a variance, leading to a loss of knowledge of how to build narrow homes. Because designing these homes is such a complex challenge, this set of plans also provides inspiration for new designs, for homeowners and developers alike. Pre-approved plans reduce barriers to homeownership, which offers the opportunity for wealth generation, supports small-scale developers, and shortens the building permit process.

First and Second Floor Plans for the "Small House" Model

This two-bedroom, two-bathroom house balances affordability and comfort.

Efficient and Modern Plans

Designing a modern home within the constraints of Gary's historic 30' residential lots produced a set of highly-efficient models with a variety of unit types. These designs offer affordable options to a variety of family configurations at different income levels. Each also provides the flexibility to adapt to resident needs; the ADU, for example, can accommodate a younger or older relative living on the same property as their family, provide a rentable unit to supplement income, or even be a first home to kickstart homeownership at a manageable scale.

Place-Based Design

In order to bring dignity to Gary's affordable units and pride to future residents, each design must be both beautiful and of its place. To keep the models within a realistic price range, all are designed with economical materials and compact plans. To create a contextual pride-of-place, all are inspired by forms and details of homes in the region. Porches and generous windows connect residents with their neighborhood.

Axonometric View of the Stacked Duplex

The Stacked Duplex provides two efficient and comfortable one-story units within one footprint that fits Gary’s narrow infill lots and reflects the character of its near-downtown neighborhoods.