Transforming Mississauga: Students Redefine Fourplexes & Tackle Housing Crisis

Apr 17, 2025 | Ontario Real Estate News

Sheridan students redesign a fourplex housing project showcasing innovative architectural solutions and sustainable living.

Fourplexes: Attractive, Affordable, and Architectural Innovation in Mississauga

Debunking the notion that fourplexes are unattractive, monotonous housing structures, college students from Sheridan College in Mississauga are revolutionizing housing aesthetics and design perception while combating the city’s escalating housing crisis. The City of Mississauga is countering prevalent housing issues and changing the narrative around how we view fourplex buildings. Let’s dive into how this is happing.

Fourplexes: An answer to the Housing Crisis?

Considering the exponentially increasing population and the ongoing issue of affordable housing, Mississauga is eyeing fourplexes as a viable, sustainable solution. This form of housing offers several units within a single structure, functioning as a cost-effective model. It not only addresses aspects of affordability but also combats the issue of space utilization in areas where real estate is notably scarce. But, wait; what about their often criticized aesthetics?

Breaking the ‘Ugly Fourplex’ Stereotype: The Student’s Role

Enter the innovative minds from Sheridan College. In collaboration with the City of Mississauga, these students are helping to challenge and alter the entrenched misconceptions that fourplex buildings are universally “ugly”. By using state-of-art digital rendering techniques, they are now creating visually appealing contemporary designs for fourplex buildings. The goal is to inspire future fourplex builds while meeting key factors such as functionality, accessibility, and sustainability.

Unveiling a Fresh Perspective on Fourplex Design

It’s about time we shift focus from bulky and blocky designs to constructions that seamlessly blend with the neighborhood. Sheridan College students are helping encourage this shift by capturing complex concepts and transforming them into artistic, unique, and visually pleasing fourplex designs. One cannot help but marvel at the way these modern structures are blending into the cityscape.

The Impact: Beyond Aesthetics

This initiative’s impact goes far beyond just visuals, as it’s ushering a new era in the city’s building and development sector. Moreover, this lays the groundwork for viewing fourplexes as a considerable solution for housing crises found in other cities. The design enhancements not only improve overall aesthetics but also promote community well-being, by ensuring these structures integrate harmoniously within established neighborhoods and don’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Towards an Inclusive Future: The Larger Implication

Fourplexes combine the perks of suburban and urban living. This remarkable project is a testament to innovative solutions that cater to the balance of developing a growing city and maintaining its aesthetic values. But most importantly, the initiative is setting a precedent in recognizing the power of combining architecture, technology, and student creativity to build an inclusive future. And who knows? A few years down the line, we might see this model replicated in other cities across the globe.

Concluding Thoughts

Innovative projects like these bring to light the power of challenging the status quo, and as a society, we must continue to reshape our views on matters that bring us closer to an inclusive future. Whether it’s about the housing crisis or our perception of fourplexes, the goal is to challenge norms, innovate, and continue learning.

The original news piece for this article can be found here.

And now, we’d love to hear from you! How do you feel about using fourplexes as a solution for housing shortages? Do you think reconsidering our views on how these structures look and function can lead to more sustainable, inclusive cities? Let us know in the comments below!

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