Adapting architectural design approaches to meet the latest shopping trends
Adapting Architectural Design Approaches to Meet the Latest Shopping Trends
It wasn’t too long ago that those born in the mid or late 1990s didn’t have much spending power in our economy. But as Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) has come to age over the last decade, this is the cohort currently driving some of the more significant retail trends.
The numbers also make it clear. People born in the mid-1990s through the early 2010s now make up about 40 percent of the global population and boast $360 billion in disposable income, according to a 2021 Bloomberg report.
From implementation of the latest technology to supporting sustainable and ethical business practices, the current retail environment looks notably different than it did just 10 to 20 years ago. While these changes were in motion throughout the 2010s, the pandemic only accelerated the shift towards the use of technology in retail settings. At RDL, our commercial studio has had a unique, front row seat to these evolving retail trends in recent years.
The following trends are items that our team has observed and responded to in our approach, that commercial developers should keep in mind:
There is a renewed loyalty towards local businesses
While one might assume the convenience of retail giants like Amazon and Walmart have all but eroded young adult’s support for local businesses, there is good reason to believe this isn’t the case. Recent research indicates that Gen Z shoppers are motivated to shop locally in order to connect with their community, find unique and quality products, and support their local economy.
One project that highlights this trend is Cleveland’s CentroVilla25 project on W. 25th Street, an adaptive reuse of a vacant property. An existing warehouse and office space was converted into a “mercado” featuring several local retail vendors. With a central marketplace designed for 20 local Hispanic-owned retailers to showcase their businesses, this design leans into persistent consumer loyalty to authentic, local brands.
Intentional space for live music and social gatherings is included, making this a sought-after neighborhood destination. A commercial kitchen, office and co-working space intended for local community organizations, and an outdoor community plaza are also key features of this project.
In line with the Gen Z consumer shift towards shopping local, this design was part of a deliberate approach to build a connection between the community and the vendors at CentroVilla25.
Lisa Elton, RA, LEED AP, MBA, Commercial Studio Director, RDL Architects
Tech integration is a must
Loyalty to local businesses remains, but that doesn’t mean the latest technology can be ignored. Today’s retail economy is increasingly focused on providing positive customer experiences in addition to the products and services being sold. Utilizing the latest technology is a key driver in enhancing the customer experience, underscoring the need to prioritize tech integration in retail design. It’s helpful to understand Gen Z not just in terms of the years they were born, but also through the lens that they grew up with, having phones and internet access in their pockets. Given that they only know a world where this digital convenience exists, they understandably desire experiences that effectively integrate technology.
Sgt. Clean, a Northeast Ohio-based car wash franchise, engaged our team to enhance and modernize its layout in a manner that promotes an optimal customer experience. As part of Sgt. Clean’s expansion, the new layout at its Green, OH location features a first-of-its-kind Interior Cleaning Building (ICB). This new feature gives customers the convenience to expressly clean the inside of their car without lifting a finger. Customers pull up to the tunnel, exit their car while it is cleaned, and re-enter a freshly cleaned car at the end of the tunnel. As part of the early design process, we helped to arrange the conveyor belt, equipment needed for this operation, and seating area for customers to wait. Sgt. Clean’s commitment to tech integration paired with this updated design is enabling a new level of convenience for customers.
Sustainability is a new priority
This one probably isn’t too surprising, but Gen Z is likely the most eco-conscious generation to date. As this generation rises in both age and economic influence, sustainability is increasingly becoming more embedded in business practices as organizations look to appeal to younger consumers. To get a pulse for where this trend is at, a 2023 PDI Technologies study found that 91 percent of Gen Z prioritizes shopping at companies they believe adhere to sustainable practices.
Arhaus Furniture, who RDL has collaborated with to design several of its retail locations nationwide, is one of the many brands emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and other social causes valued by young consumers. Arhaus has a strong reputation for sourcing sustainable, high-quality materials for its furniture, making this a popular centerpiece of modern commercial shopping districts. By designing commercial districts tailored to retailers like Arhaus, developers can effectively attract customers who value sustainability.
Working with developers to meet emerging consumer trends
At RDL, we know that you have a bold vision and big project ideas. It’s our mission to bring your ideas to life, ensuring your specific vision is met with the latest and best design approaches. Don’t overlook the importance of having a forward-thinking, innovative design partner that can elevate your value-driven ideas for a 21st century market.
Let’s start a conversation.
Here’s what developers need to know about successful aging in place
Here’s What Developers Need to Know about Successful Aging in Place
When it comes to housing markets, it’s essentially a numbers game. And when it comes to the senior living market, it’s clear that this is one of the most dynamic growth opportunities in real estate today. One analysis of the most recent Census data found that the population of Americans 65 and older is likely to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, leading to a rise from 17 to 23 percent of this age group’s share of the total U.S. population.
This shift signals a powerful demographic wave—one that’s redefining what “home” and “community” mean for aging Americans.
As the population ages, the concept of “aging in place” has gained significant attention. For many seniors, the ability to remain in a familiar environment while receiving necessary care and support is increasingly a priority. Life plan communities, often referred to as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), provide an ideal setting for aging in place.
Despite the growing market opportunities for developers in this sector, developing CCRCs is a complicated process that can seem daunting. Developing successful senior living communities requires a balance of innovation, empathy, and forward-thinking design. A true multi-disciplinary approach is imperative to creating environments that nurture independence, foster well-being, and meet the needs of today’s senior population. That’s where partnering with an experienced architectural team with a deep understanding of senior living comes into play, enabling developers to transform these complexities into opportunities.
Eileen Nacht, AIA, LEED AP, EDAC, Senior Living Director, RDL Architects
Benefits of Aging in Place in a Life Plan Community
For today’s seniors, the concept of aging is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Many seniors in their mid-60s envision an independent lifestyle in a setting that feels like an extension of their previous home. In a life plan community, this concept extends beyond individual homes to encompass an entire community designed to support seniors through various stages of life, providing access to care and services as needs evolve.
Studies have shown that aging in a supportive community setting can improve mental health and reduce overall healthcare costs. For instance, research indicates that social engagement helps lower the risk of dementia and related cognitive challenges. By combining healthcare access and social activities, life plan communities effectively reduce the isolation often faced by seniors and create environments where holistic health thrives.
A thoughtful community design anticipates these diverse needs, evolving with residents as they move from fully independent living to more supportive care environments over time. To help with this transition and to provide residents with independence, the following factors should be prioritized:
- Purpose-driven environments: The foundation of a successful senior community lies in purposeful site design. A well-planned community maximizes land use while creating a cohesive neighborhood feel, where shared outdoor spaces, access to wellness amenities, and a range of dining options that encourage resident interaction. senior communities should be thoughtfully designed to maximize land use, enhance social interaction, and create a cohesive neighborhood feel
- Comprehensive services: Access to various services—social, fitness, wellness, and entertainment—becomes increasingly essential as residents age. The goal is to empower residents by designing spaces that offer engagement and accessibility integrated into their daily lives, which is crucial for empowering residents and enriching their daily lives
- Adaptive design features: Beyond simply meeting accessibility codes, senior living spaces should go above and beyond, facilitating aging in place with a universal design approach. Elements like wider doors with lever handles, accessible countertops, grab bars in showers, and zero-threshold entries ensure that residents can navigate their environment with comfort, safety, and dignity. Environments must facilitate aging in place with thoughtful design elements that ensure comfort and safety
This is where a partner with multi-disciplinary capabilities is essential. At RDL, we work across our studios to integrate multiple building types into a community in a cohesive fashion. We also understand that it’s not just about the buildings, rather it’s also about factoring in how professional services, staff, and visitors will use the space, implementing zero threshold exteriors, and designing fully accessible environments with effective wayfinding.
Creating Homes, Not Just Housing
RDL Architects’ Senior Living Studio champions a design philosophy that ensures residents retain independence at every stage. Our approach considers not only the physical environment but also how the design shapes the resident experience, creating spaces that enrich lives, promote well-being, and nurture meaningful connections.
The Laurel Lake Retirement Community is a Life Plan Community located in Hudson, OH. Laurel Lake engaged RDL to reimagine and expand its offerings to remain competitive. The community needed to add independent living services as well as add new villas to meet the expectations of today’s seniors. We designed spaces for expanded educational programming, social opportunities, and an elevated dining experience. A key addition, the Center for Healthy Living, fosters holistic wellness, providing residents with opportunities to enrich both body and mind.
OMNI Vitalia of Solon, OH is another example of a multi-disciplinary approach by RDL to create a vibrant community that blends contemporary design with senior-friendly functionality. This project responded to demand for spacial and upscale units through the addition of 30 new apartments across four stories, most of which are two bedrooms with nine foot high ceilings, in suite washers and dryers, and large walk-in closets. This addition seamlessly connects with the existing building on the first floor, which features one to three bedroom apartments.
Let’s Redefine Senior Living Together
Contact us to start a conversation on how we can help you build a community that stands out in this high-growth sector.
Thoughtful, multi-functional interior design a key solution amid high construction costs
Thoughtful, multi-functional interior design a key solution amid high construction costs
On paper, a designated movie theater in a multifamily or senior living community sounds like a great amenity. And while that might be the case, it likely will only be utilized for a couple of hours a week. Amid sky-high construction costs and a heightened need to maximize the use of each square foot of new development, it’s single-use spaces like these that need to be reimagined.
Forward thinking interior design practices often lead to more meaningfully curated spaces that promote greater social interaction and a variety of engaging activities more than a single-use space. This approach isn’t to suggest that the movie theater should be done away with, rather it’s to reconsider other intentional purposes that space can be used for in addition to a once-a-week movie night.
In the example of a movie theater, this could look like a lounge-style room with comfortable and easily movable seating and a projector that allows for movie night while also being a place to gather for game nights, sporting events, book club meetings, performances and much more during the week outside of scheduled movie nights.
Katalin Signs, MBA, NCIDQ, Interior Design Director, RDL Architects
Designing for marketability
The demand for multi-use space is also driven by evolving market trends. Prior to the pandemic, catering space to those who work remotely wasn’t much of a thought. Of course, as this trend has changed, so has the approach of developers. It’s not uncommon for an apartment complex to have a central pool or community gathering space, but it’s not until more recently that these areas have been reimagined.
It’s imperative for interior designers to thoughtfully consider the seating arrangements, table heights, outlet placements, technology integration, and other features that make for an effective remote workspace. In addition to meeting remote work needs, there’s an increased demand for more comprehensive fitness and wellness spaces for residents.
This approach to fitness and wellness accommodations also applies to the senior living community setting. For example, RDL was engaged to design a new community in Beavercreek, OH for Assisted Living and Memory Care residents called Ashford of Beavercreek. This design carefully considered how each common area would be utilized, accommodating a fitness center in addition to a beauty salon, an arts and crafts room, a library with computers, and an exterior patio with connection to walking paths. These thoughtfully designed spaces allow residents to engage and participate in a variety of activities.
In a broader sense, there’s also the need to design with longevity and sustainability in mind. We saw how drastically the pandemic altered market demands for interior design, and it’s only a matter of time before market trends shift again. It’s unclear what those trend shifts will look like and when they will take hold, but a truly flexible, multi-functional space will allow for new future-proof amenities to be accommodated down the road.
Considering the “live-work-play” lifestyle
As the “live-work-play” lifestyle becomes more popular among younger generations, there are some key questions and considerations that should be top of mind for interior designers and developers, including:
- Can remote workspace also be used for social gatherings?
- Can standard apartment gyms be designed to accommodate more comprehensive equipment?
- Can some of the fitness space be used for yoga classes or group meditations?
- How can certain common areas connect with enjoyable outdoor space?
These considerations are seen at work in several multi-family residential interior design projects. Arcadia, for example, is a mixed-use project in Shaker Heights, OH, that features 141 residential units joined by a business center with computers and printers, a lounge with coffee and seating by a television, a fitness and yoga studio, and a multi-functional community room.
Similarly, West Shire Village in Ocala, FL, brings together 400 residential units with a clubhouse featuring a community room and kitchen, a coffee bar, a conference room, private work rooms, a fitness and yoga studio, a game room, and a pool deck with a lounge and grills, a dog park, and basketball and pickleball courts.
Ultimately, rising construction costs might be out of the control of developers. But what is within their control is the use of thoughtful, multi-functional interior design that makes the most of each available square foot. By adhering to this design principle, construction costs and supply chain-related issues can be reined in while creating a place that people want to call home.
Get in touch with our team today to start a conversation, and learn more about the approach and expertise RDL’s Interior Design Studio offers to maximize the space for your development.
Hough neighborhood developments promise affordable housing, services to community
Hough neighborhood developments promise affordable housing, services to community
Source: thelandcle.org
After the 1960s riots, a once-thriving Hough community was ravaged by looting and fires in a time of racial unrest. It took decades to rebuild, but it’s happening. That effort continues today with the sale of several properties, including an abandoned high-rise apartment building, to Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures in Washington, D.C.
People-focused design is the key to sustainable placemaking
Young developer buys 1250 Riverbed building in the Flats, plans apartments
In talking with developers, there’s one thing I’m sure of: each one has an opinion about parking. For some, there’s a concern that a development won’t have enough for visitors or residents, while others worry that allocating too much space for parking raises costs and limits their creative possibilities.
While the answer to that debate depends on each unique development model, what’s clear everywhere is projects need more flexibility when it comes to parking requirements. Dating back decades, many midwestern cities catered to the needs of car owners by implementing vehicle-first zoning that required a number of parking spaces based on the size and use of the building being developed. In many ways, these requirements were based on arbitrary assumptions and conflicted with the human and environmental potential of these places.
This isn’t to say that developments don’t require a certain amount of parking, or that cars no longer have a place in our society. But to tie the hands of all developers stifles many forward-thinking projects and opportunities. Additionally, we’re seeing the trend towards creating “15-minute cities,” a mixed-use planning concept that seeks places where residents can access schools, work, groceries, parks, and more within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This underscores the need for more of a thoughtful approach that doesn’t rely on single-use neighborhoods centered solely around cars.
Promoting flexibility
A recent analysis of Indianapolis found that despite codes requiring residential developments to have at least two parking spaces per unit, half of local households own just one or no cars – indicating that the city had more parking than its residents needed. This prompted officials to pass updated development regulations that encouraged transit and pedestrian-oriented spaces, freeing development to prioritize the needs of individual projects.
Similarly, Cleveland recently instituted their Transportation Demand Management Program through the addition of a transit-oriented development (TOD) zone. This will waive or reduce existing parking requirements, allowing developers to substitute alternate means of transportation. Examples of permitted strategies include providing subsidized transit passes for residents and employees, on-site bicycle parking, car-share designated spaces, shuttle services, and delivery hub areas. The program not only helps increase density and create more meaningful outdoor common spaces but will also allow previously cost-prohibitive projects to move forward.
By encouraging development near public transit corridors, allowing bike parking in lieu of car spaces, and offering electric vehicle chargers to keep pace with car ownership trends, cities across the Midwest could empower more people-focused and sustainable placemaking. Importantly, this type of flexible development does not counter the need for car parking. It meets the realistic demands of auto users while offering more alternative uses for a given space.
Creating people-focused places
RDL Architects has extensive experience creating people-focused places, leveraging our team’s expertise and understanding of zoning codes and historical contexts. Here’s a look at some recent examples from our team:
Puritas
A senior living housing project on less than an acre of Cleveland’s far west side, our team found a thoughtful balance between parking needs and the desire to create places for people and connections to the project’s surroundings. The Cleveland Zoning Code allows parking to be reduced to one space per three units for senior-designated developments, versus the typical one space per unit for other multi-family projects. Using this flexibility, we were able to design a site that has enough parking for residents while also making the most of a tight property, including rich outdoor greenspace, a front patio with outdoor seating and umbrellas, and a front entrance that welcomes pedestrians and car users alike. This approach meets the needs of residents while keeping a people-first environment a priority.
Weston
Our approach to the Weston commercial entertainment district in Columbus, Ohio emphasizes a people-centric experience. Located at a former mall, this multi-use development includes an event amphitheater, restaurants, retail, family entertainment, and housing. The site design is linked with a multi-modal boulevard that connects to the existing bike network and provides convenient on-street parallel parking and wide sidewalks. A collaboration between the developer and adjacent casino to share overflow parking allowed the team to design for everyday parking conditions instead of peak parking demand seen during large-scale events. Additionally, the design team pushed the majority of parking to the rear of buildings and perimeter of the site, allowing the development to focus on its central plaza, great streets, and pocket green spaces throughout.
Olympia Fields
This mixed-use development in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin strategically distributed parking to activate the space. In addition to a parking garage, a shared resident/guest lot is located at the rear of the building, hiding the majority of parking while thoughtfully connecting pedestrians to the main building and tenant entrances with a ground-floor open-air passage. A limited but calculated amount of parking is provided at the front of the building to allow convenience for guests while not overloading the area with pavement. As a result, significant space was preserved allowing the design team to create an engaging pedestrian experience, thanks to wide sidewalks, apartment door courts, a central outdoor seating and gathering area, and enhanced landscaping.
Central @ 29
Working with Indianapolis’ flexible parking requirements, our team designed an infill family apartment project on just over an acre of land with ample outdoor common spaces. By accommodating several alternate modes of transportation and low-impact transportation solutions, the parking required by the city was reduced by 25%. The parking decrease was made possible thanks to the inclusion of compact spaces, EV charging stations, carpool spaces, and indoor and outdoor bike parking. Ultimately, the parking reduction freed up land to create a common patio and playground area resulting in a better experience for the residents.
Partnering with expertise
RDL understands the complexities of municipal parking codes and their relationships with other zoning requirements. We leverage this to maximize the possibilities of a placemaking project while accommodating the realistic parking needs of the end users. Flexible mixed-use development is not intended to remove the accessibility of cars, but rather to keep them in their proper place, striking a healthy balance between the realistic needs of auto users and the desire for more thoughtfully designed places for people.
Get in touch with our team today to start a conversation and learn more about the approach and expertise RDL Architects offers to elevate the vision for your next development.
No place like home: Cleveland Restoration Society Celebration of Preservation honors 13 projects
No place like home: Cleveland Restoration Society Celebration of Preservation honors 13 projects
Source: Freshwater Cleveland
“There’s no place like home,” said Dorothy Gale in the 1939 classic film “The Wizard of Oz.” The Cleveland Restoration Society (CRS) and the American Institute of Architects Cleveland (AIA) agree with Dorothy.
The two organizations will recognize 13 area homes, churches, schools, and other landmarks built between the mid-19th Century and md-20th Century at the annual Celebration of Preservation on Wednesday, May 22 at the Ariel LaSalle Theater in Collinwood.
This year’s winners list honors those who have poured loving care into historic homes or created new homes—both residential units and historic buildings that have been adapted for use as homes or office spaces.
Everything from kitchens to living rooms to the iconic structures that welcome us home to Cleveland, will be honored at the Celebration of Preservation awards.
“We are excited to showcase the 2024 Award Winners at our Celebration of Preservation awards show,” says CRS events coordinator Peggy Sexton. “These winning projects are truly amazing and showcase the exemplary work of builders, architects, historic preservation professionals, and others who seek to renew and revitalize for the next generation.”
Bellaire-Puritas senior apartment project wins final approval
Bellaire-Puritas senior apartment project wins final approval
Source: Signal Cleveland
The commission also delayed a Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity project and approved a Superman tribute.
Cleveland Heights moves ahead on ‘cornerstone’ Taylor Tudors project in Cain Park Village plan
Cleveland Heights moves ahead on ‘cornerstone’ Taylor Tudors project in Cain Park Village plan
Source: cleveland.com
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — With City Council’s approval of tax incentives for the historic Taylor Tudors redevelopment, officials plan to break ground later this spring on what will be the $25 million “cornerstone of the Cain Park Village revitalization project.”
Council’s passage on Monday (March 18) came on the heels of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education agreeing to the terms of the same tax increment financing (TIF) package earlier this month.
Mission Possible: CentroVilla25 is becoming a reality for Cleveland's Latino community
Mission Possible: CentroVilla25 is becoming a reality for Cleveland's Latino community
Source: WKYC
In the middle of construction, the reality of CentroVilla25 is taking shape. Set to open this fall, the mixed-use development is generating excitement.
Leveraging your architect’s experience: Lessons learned from three decades in the affordable housing industry
Leveraging your architect’s experience: Lessons learned from three decades in the affordable housing industry
Joanne Horton, R.A., recently wrote an op-ed that was featured in Texas Multifamily and Affordable Housing Business in December 2023. In the op-ed, Joanne explains five core lessons our team has learned when designing for the affordable housing industry. Read the op-ed below:
As families in Texas and across the country feel the squeeze of rising housing costs, there’s never been a more important moment for affordable housing industry leaders to achieve transformative solutions. Amid rising construction costs and high interest rates, it’s no secret in the industry that meeting the demands and requirements of multifamily affordable housing projects is a challenging process.
But with careful and thoughtful strategy, industry leaders can meet this moment. RDL Architects has been committed to assisting affordable housing developers across the country in bringing their projects to fruition by developing creative and strategic solutions and addressing various challenges and hurdles a project faces along the way. Through our experience over the years, RDL knows many of the common missteps that can occur.
What lessons have we learned that apply to the present-day challenges facing developers?
Prioritize relationships
The best projects happen when all team members are invested in forming long-term, strategic relationships within a design team. Before jumping into a new project, RDL takes time to assess each client to understand their focus and needs and assemble a team specific to that client. RDL has been around for nearly 30 years, and we have clients that we’ve worked with for just as long. Putting in the time and effort on the front end sets our clients’ projects up for success, and we are always excited and honored to be part of the process.
Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Effective and deliberate communication is vital to a project’s success. This is often said at a surface level, but then not executed. You cannot assume information is understood and known by all parties. There are a lot of moving parts that contribute to the success of a project, so there needs to be a very intentional plan for implementing and maintaining open communication. Routine team meetings, detailed agendas, documentation, and planning for cost and constructability reviews at major milestones in the development of the project, are just a couple of ways this can be done. Whether we are working with a large, vertically integrated company, or a small non-profit entity, we maintain a consistent quality control process that still allows us to be flexible in our approach to shepherding a project through design and construction. RDL’s philosophy is that the architect should, in essence, act as the team quarterback, taking the lead to coordinate between disciplines, keeping the team on schedule, and ensuring no detail gets overlooked.
Involve architects on the front end
Don’t leave your project vulnerable to surprises down the road. Given the extensive funding requirements affordable housing developers must meet, it’s critical to have the input of an architect that’s well-versed in this space to be at the planning table from day 1. Commitments made early on can have more significance on the design and budget than may have been intended. For instance, sustainability commitments can become quite costly if selections are made without the proper review and feasibility analysis. We don’t want a client to be in a position where they committed to one set of criteria because it worked out well on a previous project. However, a comprehensive review of compliance items would have revealed a more feasible selection. What it comes down to is that many of these kinds of decisions are site and project-specific – there is no one size fits all approach.
Clearly define goals and budgets
One of the first steps in developing the design of a project is to determine what’s required for building efficiency early in the planning process, and stick to it. Focus on refining unit designs for economy of scale and incorporating repetitive elements wherever possible. RDL’s mantra is “Simple, Economical and Beautiful”, and this is the foundation of our approach to building design. We develop building forms with simplified geometries and detailing. We focus on aspects of building exteriors and public spaces that have the biggest impact, and simplify the rest. For developments with a standalone clubhouse, this may mean elevating the presence of the clubhouse through site positioning and selective articulation of specific features. It is also important to understand the expertise of the trades and common construction practices in the region. Construction costs can be limited by selecting materials based on regional availability.
Commitments need to be clearly communicated at the beginning of a project to ensure you are covering all of your bases. Code, accessibility, detailing components and funding criteria all have the potential to create hiccups in budgets, schedules, approvals, and tenant satisfaction. If items are not clearly identified within the drawings and specifications, it opens the project up to misinterpretation in the scope of work. The last thing anyone wants is for a critical component, like efficiency requirement of an HVAC system or building envelop, to be overlooked, and blow the budget in the middle of construction.
Prioritize the public approval process
Get in front of the municipality early. 9 times out of 10, this is imperative to a successful entitlement process. You don’t want to blindside a city with your proposed development. If permitted, it’s beneficial to have informal meetings or preliminary reviews with city staff to get a good handle on their expectations. Even when a community doesn’t have official design requirements, there’s usually a preference for a specific architectural style or materiality. Having strong graphic communication skills is also incredibly helpful to sell your vision to the community and design review boards. If a variance is needed, these presentations help demonstrate why the request is necessary. You will generate better reception from a community or design review board from a well-articulated presentation than with simple 2D/black & white images. While it may add some costs, we’ve seen several instances where renderings can make or break a project’s acceptance by the community.
Embrace the role of a proactive, problem-solving architect
Architects have the benefit of working with many different types of entities. We learn a lot from seeing how our clients operate, both the good and the bad. Whether you are developing a project that utilizes HUD, LIHTC or even community development funds, there are a lot of pieces and parts that need to be integrated and checked at various stages of the design and construction process. An architect can manage that process to ensure commitments items do not fall short in implementation or accidentally get value-engineered out of a project, while offering a range of solutions to help you make informed choices.
RDL’s affordable housing expertise and commitment to the design and construction process can make all the difference in bringing your project vision to life. Learn more about what our team can do for you and start a conversation today by visiting rdlarchitects.com/residential.