Working with a client to build tiny homes for a master-planned village, we began to think about what makes successful community living. Surely designing such a village is more than creating an aesthetically pleasing design. You must consider how the residents of a community will operate and thrive day-to-day in the environment. Here are some key considerations.

1. Social Connectivity

Our client is building a 150-unit village, so they expect a lot of movement and foot traffic, as well as many opportunities to develop a sense of community among the residents. With that, common spaces and shared amenities were essential. Consider these examples of useful common spaces.

Public Amenities & Green Spaces: Include amenities such as cafes, gyms, playgrounds, and cultural facilities to create a vibrant community atmosphere. Incorporate communal areas like parks, plazas, and community centers to encourage social interaction as well as physical activity and connection to nature. Shared gardens can be a great way to bring people together and create pride and nourishment for the community.
Mixed-Use Spaces: Blend residential, commercial, and recreational spaces to maximize interaction and convenience within the community. Mixed-use spaces could include offices, clubhouses, conference rooms and event spaces, gyms, or even retail stores.

2. Accessibility and Mobility

A fascinating aspect of urban design is understanding how people use space. You might have heard about studies that reveal how pedestrians will often chart their own path through landscapes even if it means veering off paved walkways and intended paths—and all because the designers didn’t prioritize the efficiency of the routes they created, which surely looked very pleasing to the eye.

Walkability: Design pedestrian-friendly streets with sidewalks, crosswalks, and pathways that encourage walking and biking. Consider the true efficiency of these routes.
Traffic Flow: Plan parking lots and road networks to avoid congestion, integrating roundabouts, cul-de-sacs, and multiple entry and exit points.
ADA Standards: Any accessibility-conscious design will be ADA-compliant where necessary and ensure smooth access within homes as well as in the common spaces mentioned above.

3. Environmental Design & Sustainability

Thinking long term about designs that will stand the test of time, we must always consider sustainability and the natural environment. When we design a home to last, we’re thinking about the impact of that home on the environment over its lifespan in addition to the quality of materials.

Green Spaces: Include parks, green belts, and landscaping to preserve natural habitats and improve residents' quality of life.
Water Management: Incorporate systems for efficient water use and runoff management, like permeable pavements, rain gardens, and drought-resistant landscaping.
Energy Efficiency: Use sustainable building materials and energy-efficient windows, furnishings, and appliances, perhaps even incorporating solar power or passive heating and cooling systems.

4. Diverse Housing Options

Depending on your plan for the community, consider the different types of individuals and families who will reside there, and how their needs might evolve over time.

Variety of Housing Options: Offer a mix of floor plans and housing types. In larger neighborhood plans, this could look like a mix of single-family homes and multifamily living. In smaller neighborhoods this might simply be a blend of studio living and multi-bedroom layouts.
Affordability: Provide different price points to make the community accessible to various income levels, creating an inclusive environment.
Future Flexibility: Plan homes and infrastructure with flexibility to accommodate changing family dynamics or generational needs, like aging-in-place or multigenerational housing.

5. Safety and Security

A beautiful community with all the right amenities is incomplete without a sense of safety that encourages people to use public spaces and feel comfortable in their own neighborhood. Here are some tips for promoting safety:

Natural Surveillance: Design homes and common areas to promote “eyes on the street” for natural surveillance.
Lighting and Pathways: Include well-lit paths, streets, and open areas to create a sense of safety.
Emergency Access: Design streets and buildings to ensure easy access for emergency vehicles, and consider disaster-resilient infrastructure in high-risk areas.

6. Visual Consistency

There’s a harmonious feeling you get when you’re in a neighborhood with a strong sense of visual cohesion, which comes from the design of the neighborhood as well as how its residents maintain a collective aesthetic.

Sense of Place: Integrate design elements that reflect local culture or history to foster a unique community identity.
Art and Landscaping: Install public art, sculptures, and well-designed signage to enhance visual appeal and community pride. Use native plants, flowers, and landscaping to add shape and natural texture.
Design Standards: Create guidelines for home designs, landscaping, and public spaces to maintain visual harmony throughout the community.

7. Communication & Technology

Modern technology offers numerous ways for communities to stay connected and access valuable data and resources.

Smart Home Integration: Equip homes with technology for energy monitoring, security, and efficient utilities.
Community Wi-Fi and Connectivity: Provide public Wi-Fi zones and ensure high-speed internet access across the community.
Digital Platforms for Residents: Use an app or online portal for residents to access community information, events, and resources, fostering communication.

A successful master-planned community balances these considerations to create an environment where residents enjoy both comfort and connectivity, with lifestyle options tailored to a variety of preferences and needs.

Photos by Breno Assis and CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

Design Considerations for Cottage Clusters and Master-Planned Communities