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Neighborhoods
On smaller projects we normally design each neigh-
borhood, laying out streets and major buildings, and
plotting the lots as indicated on the two Mixed-use
Center plans (Plates 18 and 19), but in this 60 square
mile area, such detail was not possible in a four-day
period. Accordingly, we made the following seven
general recommendations regarding residential devel-
opment in the CORE area following the typology of
Figure 7.5
RTP Service Center, as existing. This photo-collage illustrates an undistinguished collection of
buildings with no spatial cohesion or sense of place. Compare with Plate 20.
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traditional neighborhood design introduced during
the charrette.
1.
New neighborhoods should be developed using the
Traditional Neighborhood typology
.
This typology was described in detail in Chapter 6.
The following recommendations add detail to the
main attributes previously noted.
2.
The design of new buildings should be responsive to
regional building typologies, climate and traditions
common throughout the Triangle
.
Architects and builders should be encouraged to
design structures that are compatible with the
character of the communities in which they are
located. Durable materials such as brick, stone,
clapboard, cementacious fiberboard, and cedar
shingles should be considered in lieu of vinyl and
exterior insulated finishing systems (EIFS). For
residential buildings, porches and stoops should
form the predominant architectural motif of the
façade, providing good climatic modification and
a useful transition space from the public realm of
the street to the private interior of the home (see
Figure 7.6).
3.
Buildings should be close to the street to encourage
social interaction and pedestrian scale
.
Locating buildings close to the street as shown in
Figures 7.6 through 7.8 encourages contact between
neighbors, and the street is also self-policed by 
residents observing the public space from their
porches or front rooms. It also improves the over-
all aesthetics of the street by minimizing the visi-
bility of car parking (the garages are recessed) and
highlighting the architectural design. In addition,
siting the home closer to the front of the lot 
creates a more useable rear yard. As an example, a
typical suburban home has a 35-foot (10.6 meters)
front yard setback and a 30-foot (9.1 meters) rear
yard setback. By moving the home forward to
within 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) of the sidewalk,
15–20 feet (4.5–6 meters) of private backyard can
be gained, providing enough space on even a
modestly sized lot for amenities like a small pool.
4.
A mix of housing types should be integrated into the
design of all new neighborhoods
(Figures 7.7 and 7.8)
As we noted in Chapter 6, it’s one of our core
beliefs that a complete community encompasses
a variety of household types at various levels of
income. Figure 7.7 illustrates how medium-density
townhomes can be designed to fit elegantly with
adjacent single-family homes and other uses, and
thus reduce the stigma often associated with
DESIGN FIRST: DESIGN-BASED PLANNING FOR COMMUNITIES