Colin Mason

Architecture + Design

Slot House

Urbana, Illinois

Fall 2025

This project explores the potential of timber as a catalyst for sustainable urban living. Slot House investigates how wood can bridge the “missing-middle” gap in housing by creating attainable, human-scaled dwellings that foster community, resilience, and environmental stewardship. Through mass timber systems, repeatable construction methods, and biophilic design principles, the project proposes replicable housing prototypes that balance affordability, constructability, and carbon responsibility.

Inspired by the traditional row house typology, Slot House integrates seamlessly into the existing urban fabric of downtown Urbana. Adjacent units are defined by party walls, reflecting the rhythm and density of the surrounding context. Internally, spatial organization is reimagined—rather than relying on interior partitions, distinct floor slabs define programmatic zones. This vertical separation of space introduces a playful yet functional living experience, encouraging occupants to experience their environment through vertical movement.

Colin Mason

Architecture + Design

Slot House

Urbana, Illinois

Fall 2025

This project explores the potential of timber as a catalyst for sustainable urban living. Slot House investigates how wood can bridge the “missing-middle” gap in housing by creating attainable, human-scaled dwellings that foster community, resilience, and environmental stewardship. Through mass timber systems, repeatable construction methods, and biophilic design principles, the project proposes replicable housing prototypes that balance affordability, constructability, and carbon responsibility.

Inspired by the traditional row house typology, Slot House integrates seamlessly into the existing urban fabric of downtown Urbana. Adjacent units are defined by party walls, reflecting the rhythm and density of the surrounding context. Internally, spatial organization is reimagined—rather than relying on interior partitions, distinct floor slabs define programmatic zones. This vertical separation of space introduces a playful yet functional living experience, encouraging occupants to experience their environment through vertical movement.

Colin Mason

Architecture + Design

Slot House

Urbana, Illinois

Fall 2025

This project explores the potential of timber as a catalyst for sustainable urban living. Slot House investigates how wood can bridge the “missing-middle” gap in housing by creating attainable, human-scaled dwellings that foster community, resilience, and environmental stewardship. Through mass timber systems, repeatable construction methods, and biophilic design principles, the project proposes replicable housing prototypes that balance affordability, constructability, and carbon responsibility.

Inspired by the traditional row house typology, Slot House integrates seamlessly into the existing urban fabric of downtown Urbana. Adjacent units are defined by party walls, reflecting the rhythm and density of the surrounding context. Internally, spatial organization is reimagined—rather than relying on interior partitions, distinct floor slabs define programmatic zones. This vertical separation of space introduces a playful yet functional living experience, encouraging occupants to experience their environment through vertical movement.