A COMPREHENSIVE CONCEPT
The entire town is like a tree-covered hill, sustainable comprehensive conservation.
Although hidden by trees, this is a structure designed for people, designed to optimize life-style and individual freedom. The privacy of each home-site increases that freedom. Also, there are easy walks to school, recreation, work, transportation and shopping.
Conventional towns of tract or condo housing also function as large structures. However, they are primarily designed for automobiles rather than people, with streets and lots spread out all over the land. Plus, continually increasing zoning laws limit what people do.
This, nearly self-contained, comfortable livable eco-techno-village is naturally sustainable for hundreds of years. It is composed of 3-Dimensional residential subdivisions of space. Private 2-story individual lots are purchased. Minimal land is used for homes and services with maximum for open space and the integral recycling-farmland element.
Flexibility within each home site can satisfy changing needs for generations. This is a concept for an entirely new copyrighted architectural arrangement. It will evolve into final architectural designs suitable for specific locations.
It is based on todays new technologies, plus features of the worlds finest resorts and villages, including the hill towns of Italy and Spain, which have evolved over a thousand years or more.
From the users viewpoint, the backyard of each home functions as ground level, just like being on a hillside. In the neighborhood Cluster, the landscaped play area functions as ground level, just as if on a downtown hillside overlooking the pedestrian main street. The public areas allow for high quality spaces comparable to the best in the world. The final design possibilities are infinite.
Every element, starting with the individual "Home Site," the neighborhood "Cluster," "Main Street," and every other aspect have been analyzed, reinvented, recombined and rearranged in subtle new ways to create a beautiful people-oriented environment.
The problem with typical 2-D subdivisions is that you can see anything being built. In this 3-D subdivision every lot has the freedom of complete privacy, the only portion visible to the neighbors is the front elevation. Each Home Site can accommodate generations, housed in a large single family home, duplex, or even a four-plex. This will eliminate the need for many zoning laws. This concept is an actual solution that satisfies the highest objectives for the environment, community and individual.
This addresses a truly URGENT NEED for today. What we build now will influence future land uses FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. Most current developments are short sighted. We should plan for the longer term WHILE WE STILL HAVE LARGE, WELL-LOCATED PARCELS of land available, or the their optimum use could be lost for ever.
YES, it is POSSIBLE.
When you are first introduced to this concept, you may wonder if it is really possible.
Now, perhaps for the first time, we have the experience and technology to build a town with affordable housing that is fully in harmony with nature, both in function and appearance. The total environment for living is significantly enhanced, but at no greater cost than comparable conventional developments.
To solve the issues facing our cities is a necessity. This concept opens up new ways to do that.
When early humans built using natural materials, their works blended with the surroundings. When we began to change our materials so they no longer looked natural, neither did our buildings. And, in general, with a few exceptions, we have not adequately learned how to assume that responsibility previously automatically provided by natural materials. This concept offers new techniques.
As you learn more about this concept you will begin to appreciate how truly comprehensive it is and the potential of its beauty and practicality. Perhaps you will enjoy visualizing what it would be like to live in such an environment, adding personal design features on your own private home site, relaxing with a view of the lake, or greeting neighbors from your front porch.
OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE
At some point, if you imagine you would enjoy living in a town such as this, perhaps you would be kind enough to send an e-mail (link below). You may even wish to indicate your possible interest in purchasing a future home site. The prices would be consistent with conventional developments with comparable elements included. Of course, variations would depend on land cost in the selected locations.
At this time, several locations are open to discussion. Final locations will be selected based on basic site factors and appropriate market potential. Initially it is expected three sites will be selected in different parts of the country.
If you are an environmentalist seeking long term solutions, a landowner with flat or rolling hills, a corporation needing housing, a developer, an architect or perhaps in government with an interest in such a concept, please let us know. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss possibilities and cost or make a presentation including study models.
This is the second stage evolution of this concept. Next year we plan to develop the third evolution to include latest thinking and refinements. We invite your critique or questions about this concept. Please contact us at the link below.
Questions or Comments: e-mail
L. Gene Zellmer 1998
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