The top 10 design mistakes for mixed-income housing in 2024
Mixed-income housing is the future of cities—an opportunity to deliver inclusive, vibrant neighborhoods where people of all incomes can live, work, and thrive. But too often, good intentions are derailed by poor design. In 2024, as housing crises escalate globally, bad design isn’t just a mistake—it’s a missed opportunity for equity, livability, and community success. […]
Designing for density: How missing middle housing can balance livability and inclusivity in mixed-use projects
The secret to balancing density and livability isn’t found in towering skyscrapers or sprawling suburbs—it’s in the Missing Middle Housing. This often-overlooked approach to residential design creates diverse, low-to-mid-rise housing options that fit perfectly into mixed-use developments. From duplexes to townhouses to small apartment clusters, Missing Middle Housing boosts density while staying grounded in human […]
Architectural strategies that work
How do we design mixed-income housing that’s beautiful, functional, and equitable? Here are the strategies that make it possible: Design Without Hierarchies At Uniting on Second, affordable and market-rate apartments share the same material palette—a mix of precast concrete, brickwork, and lightweight cladding. This eliminates visual disparities while improving thermal performance and durability. When buildings […]
Architectural strategies for mixed-income housing in mixed-use districts
Great architecture doesn’t just look good—it works for people, places, and communities. In the world of mixed-use districts, mixed-income housing brings a unique challenge: balancing beautiful, functional design with inclusivity and affordability. But when architects get it right, the result is transformative—spaces that serve everyone equitably, without compromising on aesthetics, comfort, or dignity. From Fayette […]
Urban Design: The key to thriving mixed-use communities
Great urban design is the glue that holds mixed-use developments together. It ensures that every resident—regardless of income, age, or background—has access to vibrant spaces that connect them to opportunities, amenities, and each other. Projects like Oakden and Laconia Village are models for the future. They turn challenges into opportunities and prioritize people over cars, […]
Beyond buildings: The role of Urban Design in creating mixed-use communities that work for everyone
A community isn’t just a collection of buildings—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem shaped by thoughtful urban design. Mixed-use developments succeed not because of their individual components, housing, retail, public spaces, but because of how they are connected, activated, and shaped to serve everyone. From Adelaide to Laconia, the best mixed-use communities prioritize walkability, green infrastructure, […]
Tribute Rising and Henley South: Models for the future
In Durham, Tribute Rising blends history with innovation. Its design strategies—like the recreation of the historic street grid and anchoring the site with community spaces—transform the block into a hub for all income levels. Parks, live/work units, and affordable senior housing ensure a place for everyone to live, gather, and grow. Meanwhile, Adelaide’s Henley South […]
One block, many lives: Why mixed-use developments need mixed-income housing
The cities of tomorrow won’t be built on single-purpose developments or income silos. They’ll be vibrant, integrated, and inclusive—where diverse incomes, uses, and opportunities intersect. In a time when economic and social divisions are growing wider, mixed-use developments that include mixed-income housing are more than a trend, they are an urban necessity. <h2>The Problem with […]
