Layered together, these “9 Ways to Make Housing for People” combine to heighten the effectiveness, utility, comfort, and enjoyment of a completed building or community.
Reweave the Urban Fabric
Create, repair, and enhance connections within existing neighborhoods.
Make Big Moves
Design a bold and interesting building form.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Concentrate premium materials at points of shared enjoyment. Keep it simple everywhere else.
Activate the Edges
Energize the streetscape with a generous, mixed-use ground floor.
Be Welcoming
Set a positive tone with a bright and engaging entryway.
Cultivate Connection
Place compatible uses together to add convenience, support social encounters, and build lasting bonds.
Enlightened Circulation
Bring light and fresh air into hallways and stairs to connect with nature and encourage walking.
Art For All
Use art to invigorate common spaces, help with wayfinding, and create a strong visual identity.
Get Personal
Reflect the character of the community and offer opportunities for personal expression.
You can see examples of this framework in action as you scroll through our portfolio, or learn about the 9 Ways in depth in our new handbook 9 Ways to Make Housing for People, available from ORO Publications.