PEOPLE THAT MATTER
Neighborhood by Design
From the very beginning, the Silo neighborhood was destined to be something completely different, something better than the norm. It has been a 7-year creative process in the making, the sole purpose of which has been to create an intelligent community paired with cutting-edge sustainable systems, superior building materials, vast open spaces, and a modern farmhouse design aesthetic that compliments and retains the rural appeal of Lafayette.
Following are the key components of the development, and what we hope will become a national landmark in quality building, conscientious planning and sustainable neighborhood design:
Sustainable Community
A sustainable community takes into account multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. Rich social relationships are one of the cornerstones of a healthy and vibrant society. The diversity of housing options in the development allows for a wide spectrum of residents, of all ages, to live together in a social environment.
An intelligent mix of single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and apartments will support a level of connectivity sorely lacking in modern life.
Sustainable Lifestyle
The neighborhood will be a pioneering, community-based development in which the traditional values of a small village converge with social and environmental sustainability. Our residents will participate in dynamic solutions to the issues of energy costs through cutting edge sustainable net-zero building practices, accessible food production with a community garden and farmer’s market, and divergence from standard isolationist neighborhood design by ensuring our community remains a vibrant and welcoming home for people of all ages through civic, cultural, recreational and social engagement. The 3 legs of aging in place are: a community center or gathering place, a nonprofit to support these initiatives and universal design elements that give flexibility to the dwellings and neighborhood.
This neighborhood is designed for user-friendly sustainable living. Most people want to care for the environment and their community. This is the key to sustainability. Smart design can help.
Sustainable Lifestyle
The neighborhood will be a pioneering, community-based development in which the traditional values of a small village converge with social and environmental sustainability. Our residents will participate in dynamic solutions to the issues of energy costs through cutting edge sustainable net-zero building practices, accessible food production with an on-site CSA and farmer’s market, and divergence from standard isolationist neighborhood design by ensuring our community remains a vibrant and welcoming home for people of all ages through civic, cultural, recreational and social engagement. The 3 legs of aging in place are: a community center or gathering place, a nonprofit to support these initiatives and universal design elements that give flexibility to the dwellings and neighborhood.
This neighborhood is designed for user-friendly sustainable living. Most people want to care for the environment and their community. This is the key to sustainability. Smart design can help.
Parks, Open Space, Habitats
To help preserve the overall rural aesthetic, 47% of the development will consist of an extensive network of parks, pocket parks, greens, open landscape, trail corridors, habitat, agriculture & riparian areas. An 8-acre horse pasture and barn will be preserved on the land and the neighborhood open space community park will be centrally situated at the highest elevated point so residents can enjoy the beautiful mountains views.
Parks, Open Space, Habitats
To help preserve the overall rural aesthetic, 47% of the development will consist of an extensive network of parks, pocket parks, greens, open landscape, trail corridors, habitat, agriculture & riparian areas. An 8-acre horse pasture and barn will be preserved on the land and the neighborhood open space community park will be centrally situated at the highest elevated point so residents can enjoy the beautiful mountains views.
Smart Use of Space
As in housing in much of the world, yards are treated like outdoor rooms, framed by buildings, fences, and hedgerows. The yard layout allows for multiple uses of outdoor living while minimizing the need to water and maintain a large yard. Yards are articulated by interesting landscaping, fences, and points of entry like trellises and gates.
Urban Walkability
Compact neighborhoods have the lowest resource consumption per capita and the highest expected life span. This is because people walk or bike instead of driving. Intimate urban environments of quality design make the walking experience convenient and desirable. Designs for front stoops, fences, and well-planned landscaping will enhance the pedestrian experience.
Urban Walkability
Compact neighborhoods have the lowest resource consumption per capita and the highest expected life span. This is because people walk or bike instead of driving. Intimate urban environments of quality design make the walking experience convenient and desirable. Designs for front stoops, fences, and well-planned landscaping will enhance the pedestrian experience.
Sustainable Landscape
Respecting the site’s topography, hydrology, & vegetation is of paramount importance to the development team. Innovative road and drainage design uses existing topographic lines and reduces the need for excessive overlot-grading so commonly seen in large developments.
Intelligent storm water management will ensure that natural water passively irrigates the landscaping, reducing the demand on resource-sapping irrigation systems. Other features include streetscape rain gardens, percolation parks, bio swales and permeable paving & surfaces.
Sustainable Landscape
Respecting the site’s topography, hydrology, & vegetation is of paramount importance to the development team. Innovative road and drainage design uses existing topographic lines and reduces the need for excessive overlot-grading so commonly seen in large developments.
Intelligent storm water management will ensure that natural water passively irrigates the landscaping, reducing the demand on resource-sapping irrigation systems. Other features include streetscape rain gardens, percolation parks, bio swales and permeable paving & surfaces.
