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We started this project with a simple pre-supposition.

Take out the car.

Then add it back in.

We’re better able to design a project that is pedestrian-friendly. Sidewalks are continuous, uninterrupted by vehicles, and the front of the house, absent a garage, has more architectural opportunity. Front porches and stoops invite visitors and add a neighborliness to the community that is felt more than observed.

Space is freed up to add more units. Higher-density equals smaller eco-footprint.

We can save the heritage oak trees and incorporate them into ¼ acre of community open-space without any vehicular circulation (except bikes, of course).

Of course, cars are (for now) a necessity for most people, including us. And having a secure place to park the car is an important need to fill. So, how are we adding it back in? The parking structure doubles as a foundation for the homes above it, clustered around a courtyard.

Above the parking lot are a few interior units and a mezzanine. This site design makes the parking structure invisible from either the street or the courtyard. Residents in the exterior units will have direct access to their home from the garage.

Other Notables

• All of the homes will be attached townhouses, most of which will have a small backyard.
• Sculpture from a local artist on the mezzanine. Know anyone we should talk to?
• On-site Bicycle parking.

Open (Web) Space For Dialogue
Our work has focused mostly on site design. We’ve jumped into floor plans and will be toggling between floor plans and site design before working on exteriors. We’re toying with a few other ideas like having a car-share program on-site and adding a few live-work units on the NE corner…you can stay tuned on the blog.

4th and F isn’t the project’s official name. Any suggestions? If we get some good ones, we’ll be all the more motivated to add a voting feature to the site.