Efficient, Aesthetic, Design for All Age Communities

by Don Westphal

EEfficiency in the design of communities is even more important today than ever. The cost of homes and development are escalating, and in many locations forcing families out of the affordable zone. There are many ways to design attractive communities efficiently. Let’s first consider the initial planning for a community. The most efficient site plan is driven by a thorough understanding of the site and the plan grows out of the site, is not forced into the site: understanding the topography natural features, such as woodlands, wetlands, and flood plains is essential. Unfortunately, many locations where zoning is possible are not the most desirable and easy to plan. Many designers have subdivision experience but don’t understand the techniques and unique considerations that can reduce constructions costs and improve the community efficiency. If possible, have an experienced MH planner design the community.

Next, consider project marketing and community image as an integral part of the initial plan. This can be accomplished in several ways. How will the community appear from the street? Will it feature the back end of homes, sheds and related junk as in the past, or will it be landscaped and screened? Does the entrance create a “Wow” effect with attractive signage, fencing, and landscape beds? The main entrance can lead up to or past the club house or an amenity further enhancing the community image and marketability (illustration 3). Plant trees early in the development process. A small inexpensive tree

will soon create an image upgrade. The trees and landscape grow for you twenty-four/seven!

Consider the homes in the community. Are they located in such a way that they add to the community aesthetics? We all know that in most cases the hitch end and entry side of the home is the most attractive. Choose the home and its placement to take advantage of the most attractive placement in the community and on its home site. If the community will have a mix of single section and multi-section homes, locate the more attractive multi-section homes in prime locations: at the entrance, at intersections, and along the main roads. Place less attractive single section homes in less prominent visual locations.

Select the home floor plan to enhance the look from the street. A wall of siding on the street-facing end of the home is very unattractive. Moving the windows from the side to the end and adding overhangs and shutters there are small no-cost ways to improve community aesthetics.

Another free method to improve the look of the community is to orient intersection homesites so that the attractive sides of the home face the intersection. This can be accomplished by rotating intersections lots 90 degrees.

We have suggested these and other “tricks of the trade” that our experienced manufactured home planners use to create a “plan”, not just a layout. Many layouts are prepared with little or no consideration for the final appearance and efficiency of the communities. But this experienced planner has taken advantage of in-depth knowledge of the industry and its products to create attractive communities that help upgrade the image of the industry. Manufactured homes and communities are the last, best solutions to dying affordability in housing. If not us, then who? MHV

Don Westphal retired after more than 50 years since the mid 1960s when he designed his first Manufactured Home community and RV resort as a Landscape Architect student. He is a consultant to the Nadi Group and still enjoys sharing his experiences and the association with long-time clients and industry friends.

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