The existing homes on the site are all single-family homes (with the exception of one duplex) between 944 - 1,256 ft2. These homes are in various states, some having been remodeled recently, some newly built, and some in need of repair. Most of these houses are owned by LLCs or corporations with very few being privately owned. This gives reason to believe that most of these homes are being rented out.
Roger Lee Sexton
EXISTING BOOKENDS
HISTORIC POE MILL CENTER
The historic Poe Mill building represents a symbolic context to the Poe Mill neighborhood, as it once embodied a museum. However, the building is currently underused and presents hopeful opportunity for a future cultural center on the site.
INSURANCE BUILDING
The Progressive insurance building lies directly in the center of the adjacent lot down Buncombe Road, inefficiently occupying the space. This presents design opportunities to redefine the lot into organized parcels that can be zoned for residential buildings and increase the density at a critical entrance edge to the neighborhood.
GAS STATION
On the corner of Buncombe Road and Alexander Street, a Marathon gas station occupies the lot and presents some critical challenges for the design of the surrounding residential areas. As the corner his high crime activity, the design of the surrounding homes must include buffer zones such as landscaping or fencing, specific orientation, and controlled access points from the street.
HISTORIC POE MILL CENTER
GAS STATION
POE MILL: REVITALIZATION THROUGH DENSIFICATION
NICOLAS BECK
The Neighborhood of Poe Mill, situated a few miles from Downtown Greenville, is experiencing rapid growth and development. However, the existing infrastructure and single family residential typology does not support the anticipated growth in the area – large apartment complexes are slated to be developed without any consideration for current adjacent housing. The premise of this studio is to introduce missing middle typologies, a potential solution for responsible densification that will enhance the current neighborhood and benefit all residents. This project focuses on a neglected entry node into Poe Mill. Situated along Buncombe Rd, these relatively empty parcels, with the exception of two existing commercial use buildings – one is the former general store and the other a former insurance agency – offer the perfect opportunity to not only bring needed commercial space into the area, but also to create much needed accessible housing for the area’s largely aging population.
SITE AXON
SITE PLAN
MASTER PLAN
The units are arranged on the site in a method that maximizes the quality of shared spaces. The former general store on the site is a historic building with potential future plans for being developed into a cultural center for the neighborhood. In order to blend this future center into the residential component of the plan, a central greenspace will be designed to act as a buffer. Affordable housing units are then arranged around this greenspace, creating a version of a cottage cluster.
From here, the existing nearby alleyway is expanded to create a band of circulation for parking and car traffic. The new pathways, however, are designed to be narrower and with permeable pavements to encourage a sense of privacy. This is done in an effort to allow these spaces to also function as impromptu areas for residents to feel comfortable engaging with, whether that be pulling out a grill to cookout or children playing a game of soccer. The final zone focuses on the market rate homes and addresses Buncombe road.
FLOOR PLANS
LEVEL -1 LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2
SITE SECTIONS
TECTONIC STUDIES
TRUSS TYPE 1
TRUSS TYPE 2
AFFORDABLE UNIT
TRUSS TYPE 3
MARKET RATE UNIT
1. Roof Assembly
A. Architectural Shingles
B. Plywood Decking
2. Wall Assembly
A. 2x6 Stud 24” o.c.
B. Batt Insulation
C. 1/2” Ply. Sheathing
D. Water Resistant Barrier
E. Sierra 8 Hardie Panel
3. Casement Window
4. Storefront Window
5. Concrete Slab
AFFORDABLE UNIT
MARKET RATE UNIT
“This project focuses on the entry of Poe Mill; offering the perfect opportunity to not only bring needed commercial space into the area, but also to create much needed accessible housing for the area’s largely aging population.”
POE MILL EVOLVE
CAMERON SUNKEL
The United States is currently grappling with a significant housing crisis, with escalating costs impacting families and first-time buyers. Restrictive zoning and a focus on luxury developments has limited affordable homes throughout the country. A once-thriving community, Poe Mill now faces affordability challenges due to luxury development encroachment on the existing mill site. In response, the community is exploring building “missing middle housing” on residential property and on vacant lots. The Poe Mill Evolve initiative will focus on affordable starter homes with expandable options, offering flexibility and potential rental income. This model supports first-time buyers and lower-income families, showcasing how strategic planning can balance growth and affordability, enhancing community life.
A. SITE CONDITIONS
ZONING REGULATIONS
C. SCALE
REMOVE
EXPANSION
SITE PLAN
INITIAL BASE FITOUT + SHELL SITE DESIGN
1ST AVENUE
EXPANSION OPTIONS SITE DESIGN
FLOOR PLANS
EXPANDABILITY
RESIDENTIAL ALLEY
LATERAL GROWTH
RESIDENTIAL ALLEY
LATERAL GROWTH
1ST AVENUE
1ST AVENUE
TECTONIC STUDIES
SOLAR ENERGY: GABLE ROOF DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PV PANELS
ROOFING: STANDING SEAM METAL ROOFING
GLAZING SYSTEM: ENERGY-STAR RATED FIBERGLASS WINDOWS
Each home is designed with the option to add photovoltaic (PV) panels to the south-facing gable roof, helping homeowners reduce their electrical bills. The project aims to achieve the 2030 Energy Use Intensity (EUI) target of 8.34, recognizing that some high-efficiency options may be cost-prohibitive for affordable housing. By utilizing advanced light wood framing techniques, the project also reduces its embodied carbon footprint, contributing to environmental sustainability.
1. ROOF ASSEMBLY:
METAL ROOFING
ROOF UNDERLAYMENT
PLYWOOD DECKING
2. WALL ASSEMBLY:
2x6 WOOD STUD
BATT INSULATION
PLYWOOD SHEATHING
WATER RESISTANT BARRIER
HARDIE BOARD LAP SIDING
3. CASEMENT WINDOW
4. FLOOR ASSEMBLY:
OPEN WEB JOISTS OR 2x10 FLOOR JOISTS
PLYWOOD DECKING
FLOOR FINISH MATERIAL
5. FOUNDATION ASSEMBLY:
CONTINUOUS CONCRETE FOOTING CMU BLOCK FOUNDATION WALL
PRESSURE TREATED SILL PLATE
“By providing flexible starter homes that can grow with the needs of their owners, Poe Mill Evolve offers immediate relief to first-time buyers and lower-income families while ensuring long-term sustainability and community resilience.”
BUNCOMBE DUPLEX, FRAMING POE MILL
LEXI DISAVERIO
The Buncombe Duplex design frames the Poe Mill neighborhood by respecting its historic context while increasing density and integrating seamlessly into the urban fabric of single-family homes. By utilizing a missing middle typology of duplexes with shared spaces, the design promotes affordability and fosters neighbor interaction while providing a strategy for increasing density and relieving development pressure from the existing residential properties. The proposed RN-A zoning, allowing up to four dwelling units per parcel, supports efficient land use and enhances the area’s residential capacity. The design responds to the site’s topography challenges, incorporating advanced 2x6 framing for improved environmental performance and energy efficiency. With a focus on inward connectivity, the development strengthens community ties and encourages social engagement, enhancing the neighborhood’s sense of place.
PROCESS
HYPHEN
BUNCOMBE DUPLEX
SITE PLAN
FLOOR PLANS
SECTIONS
TECTONIC STUDIES
ENERGY ANALYSIS
The Buncombe Duplex mechanical system is a single-zone system with ground source and heat pump. The ground source heat pump will regulate the temperature in the entire home, typically using a ducted system or a radiant floor setup. Given the relatively small size of the affordable homes, a single-zone system is adequate for providing consistent temperature control.
Since the system serves a single zone, it eliminates the energy losses often seen in multi-zone systems, where ducting and air handling might reduce efficiency. This system’s energy consumption is optimized for the specific needs of the home, leading to better overall performance.
While ground source heat pumps are more energy-efficient than conventional HVAC systems, they come with higher upfront costs due to the need for drilling or trenching to install the ground loops. Ground source heat pumps are also very eco-friendly, as they utilize renewable energy from the earth. The system significantly reduces the home’s carbon footprint, making it an ideal choice for homeowners interested in sustainability.
BOTTOM PLATE WITH SILL GASKET ATTATCHED AT ANCHOR BOLT
“Poe Mill Community Housing proposes a model of building homes that leverages both emerging technologies like modularization as well as setting up a model of housing where extended families and communities can come together to help house one another.”
THE CORNER OF 1ST AVENUE
MACKENZIE KNAUTZ
The revitalization of this corner includes the addition of three new duplexes to the Poe Mill neighborhood. Their stacked design is to work with the steep elevation of the site. The deep parcels on which they are located allowed the home to be expanded linearly rather than vertically so that the house blended best with the exisiting homes in the neighborhood. This also allowed for the use of the alley as a separated entrance for the second duplex.
The three spaces for this site were originally zoned as R-7.5 which did not allow for duplexes or multifamily housing. In order to increase the amount of families located on one parcel, the zoning was changed to RN-A.
This proposal also notes the replacement of the exisiting gas station that is currently known as a “troubled area” and revitalizing the corner with a community market space and park.
1stAvenue
2ndAvenue
FLOOR PLANS
Duplex 1:
2 Floors
3 Bedrooms
2 1/2 Baths
1,921 ft²
Duplex 2:
1 Floor
2 Bedrooms
2 Baths 1,324 ft²
Total of 3,245 ft²
TECTONIC STUDIES
ADVANCED FRAMING
2x6 studs 24” oc
The structure of each duplex is exactly the same and features a floor truss system as well as two different roof trusses. There is also a third truss system that operates as both a floor and roof truss and also allows both duplexes to stay connected while adapting to the different site elevations and slopes that each of the three duplexes face.
Standing Seam Roof
ENERGY ANALYSIS
WALL SECTION
Using CoveTool, I was able to analyze one of my home’s enviornmental baselines. Without getting too in-depth, I was able to produce an EUI significantly lower than the 2030 Baseline. This was acommplished through choosing building materials that would best help save energy, but still keeping in mind affordability. The electricity is high, but this is the electricity usage for two households in one year, without much refinement.
Water Proofing Membrane
Plywood Sheathing
8" Fiber-Cement Siding
Water Proofing Membrane
Plywood Sheathing
R-19 Insulation
Furring Strip
Gypsum Board
Bond Beam
Rigid Foam Insulation
Drain
4" Concrete Slab on Grade
“Poe Mill Community Housing proposes a model of building homes that leverages emerging technologies, like modularization, while also setting up a model of housing where extended families and communities can come together to help house one another.”
PROTOTYPICAL INTERIOR BLOCK
HOUSING DIVERSITY: TRANSFORMING SINGLEFAMILY BLOCKS WITH ADUs
MINA KESHAVARZI
This project responds to the housing challenges in Greenville Area.Poe mill,is a historic mill village where rising property values threaten long-time residents. By introducing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), the design offers a scalable, homeownerdriven solution that preserves community ties while addressing financial and spatial constraints. Situated within a typical neighborhood block, the project maintains the character of existing homes while allowing for organic growth. Thoughtfully designed ADUs provide flexibility—supporting multigenerational living, generating rental income, and optimizing underutilized backyard spaces. This approach fosters sustainable, incremental change, ensuring the neighborhood evolves while remaining an affordable, livable community.
Setback limitations
SITE AXON
5 feet setback from neighboring parcels
ADU sq ft limitations
<465 sqft
New Zoning limitations
RH-C
1 primary unit, 1 accessory unit (max)
40’ lot width (min)
2.5 stories / 20’ ADU height (max)
RH-B*
same as RH-B but it is important that the relationship to both roads is addressed while being mindful of future postal address.
10 feet setback from side roades, 20 for main roads
Main waste line, goes under some of the site and creates a 5 feet setback
<940 sqft
<640 sqft
<515 sqft
RH-B
1 primary unit,
1 accessory unit (max)
60’ lot width (min)
2.5 stories / 20’ ADU height (max)
TECTONIC STUDIES
The six ADU typologies in this project are designed to address the site’s constraints, including zoning regulations, lot sizes, and existing structures, while maximizing housing potential. They are affordable to build and feature a variety of designs, making them adaptable for use in other blocks within the area.
Type 05
Type 06
Wall Section
“By introducing this new layer of housing, the project provides a way for the community to grow without compromising its identity”
