Beyond townhomes: tips from the experts on designing for density

Against a litany of cross-currents and headwinds, builders in many markets need a product mix and community design that meet density requirements, attracts buyers and pencils financially. While density mandates may be most familiar in land-constrained markets such as coastal California, density ranks as a growing concern in more sparsely populated markets like Montana. For builders, the key is recognizing that density does not translate as a one-size-fits-all equation across markets. Rather, it must be approached in the context of each market’s unique constraints, opportunities and buyer preferences. This dynamic served as the basis for a session at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC) on July 28. Panelists agreed that meeting density goals is highly market-specific and requires product strategies, amenities, and site plans that align with local buyer expectations. While relying on townhomes and apartments is a tried-and-true strategy, there are many ways to achieve density. “Cities give us a density. Design tells us how many ways we can achieve that, and then the market ultimately tells us if we’re a success or not,” Jonathan Boriack, Principal at KTGY, said when opening u...