Harmony in Values: Designing Within The Mosaic of Montana Neighborhoods 

This concept was vetted through a comprehensive process and integrates missing pieces of community into the Whitefish mosaic. This neighborhood design weaves gathering spaces that will build social connections with easily accessible neighborhood amenities, for people just beginning their housing journey, families, and those who are ready to downsize. The key to this concept’s success is a mixed variety of housing types. This includes duplexes, a cottage court, townhomes, a multi-plex, and live-work units. This variety of housing encourages people of differing price ranges, age groups, and needs to connect and grow within the neighborhood. The cottage court, for example, includes small, single-story units with private outdoor spaces that face a shared common space, which increases opportunities for interaction between neighbors. A vertical mixed-use building and live-work units in the southwest corner of the site aligns with the existing commercial uses along the Highway 93 corridor. The ground floor of the mixed-use building includes a community space for year-round gatherings that spills into outdoor space. A potential restaurant or brewery in the mixed-use building serves as the walkable neighborhood hangout. The scale, appearance, and setback of the buildings is similar to other buildings along this stretch Highway 93. This creates a safety buffer between the highway and residential units. With sustainability and the environment in mind, the transportation network is designed to efficiently connect to existing streets. New tree-lined streets with limited driveway interruptions will benefit pedestrians using the sidewalk network, with a trail through the site connecting to a nearby grocery store.  It also offers excellent opportunities for neighbors of all ages to connect socially outside, such as the playground adjacent to the multi-plex or the multi-use open space in the northeast corner.

The designs below have been taken from the submitted design boards. To see the designs in the original form, click the button below