This project translated core architectural principles into real-world practice through a specific urban design challenge.

The Tyler Avenue Complete Community Initiative is an Annapolis, Maryland effort to strengthen a key corridor through coordinated street-design improvements and land-use and zoning changes, with the goal of creating a safer, more walkable streetscape while introducing new housing options, community amenities, and a more cohesive public realm.

As part of a studio collaboration, architectural proposals were developed for three adjacent sites, responding to local affordable housing needs and the “missing middle” and integrating:

• complete community characteristics
• missing middle housing types and design characteristics
• site analysis and development
• sustainable practices
• climate and geography

Following the research phase, a design concept was developed to advance complete community principles through housing solutions and site planning.

The final proposal focused on the underserved missing-middle populations—young families, young professionals, and seniors—through a duplex system with flexible, lifestyle-responsive layouts that support multigenerational living and seamless aging-in-place.

ANNE ARUNDEL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL 2025
ACH 211 ARCHITECTURE STUDIO 1 . 8 WEEKS
Professor Robert Lowe, III . Illustrator, InDesign, Revit

PROJECT CONCEPT

Duplex housing can fill the gap of the “missing middle” to advance the goals of environmental performance, social inclusion, and neighborhood completeness. Organized through a cottage-courtyard plan, my design will establish a clear axis and rhythm with the creation of shared open space that supports both ecological function and community interaction while acting as the social heart of the development, encouraging walkability, passive cooling, and visual connection among residents.

The duplex solution addresses the needs of young professionals, families, and seniors through adaptable layouts that support multigenerational living and aging-in-place. Universal design features ensure long-term accessibility, while green strategies reduce carbon impact. Together, the duplex and cottage-courtyard model demonstrate how missing-middle housing can fulfill complete communities principles as well as articulate a palimpsest of community by integrating equity, sustainability, and belonging within a cohesive, walkable neighborhood.

CONCEPT INTEGRATION

• duplex design serves young professionals, young families and seniors through flexible, lifestyle-responsive layouts that support multigenerational living and seamless aging-in-place
• universal design elements: no-step entries, wider doorways and a main-level living option—promote long-term accessibility without sacrificing comfort
• green building strategies: small building footprints, pervious walkways reduce runoff, open space, reduced heat island effect, native plant beds, corrugated metal low-solar reflexivity roofs, option for solar panels
• cottage-courtyard framework: advances missing-middle housing as an actionable complete-communities model—strengthening walkability and everyday social connection