Architecture for the New Urbanism

Architecture should recognize its responsibility as part of our environment. Every building and every space has an impact on the way we live. Each building should relate to the human scale and work with the other elements around it to create continuity and sense of place.

The benefits of New Urbanism are far reaching. Compared to conventional developments, it allows for more efficient infrastructure, more units per acre, and a mixture of sizes and types of units, both residential and commercial. In addition, by allowing a variety of uses in proximity, it provides the opportunity to capture automobile trips as well as reduce the number of trips originating from the neighborhood. Residents of New Urban neighborhoods actually have the option of walking to many of the services they need. On a regional scale, it can ease traffic pressures by reducing the average distance people travel to services. Concentrating people, goods and services into smaller land areas means that there is more land available near the urban centers for recreation, preservation, and agricultural uses. New Urbanism is gaining popularity with residents and business owners for the convenience and the security of a neighborhood that is occupied 24 hours a day.

Universal Design

Universal design strives to be a broad-spectrum design solution which benefits people of all ages and abilities without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Further, it recognizes the importance of thoughtful design aesthetics. Our interest in universal design lies in seeking to create built environments which are more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra monetary or aesthetic cost.