Patterns are everywhere—in nature, in design, in genetics, and in business. Companies track patterns and learn from them in order to cater to their needs. Doug Farr, president at Farr Associates, found that there are key patterns that resound with many within the housing industry. For a book he will release later this year, titled Sustainable Nation, Farr consulted with more than 70 contributors to look at the most critical patterns.
Not only does he explore the patterns, but he also looks at them in terms of their invitation to action, as he states it. Farr believes that interesting patterns create land value. In this short video, he talks about some key patterns.
First, he encourages companies to practice “lean urbanism,” or short circuiting processes for better efficiency. This lean urbanism can result in huge efficiencies if practiced as Farr describes, at one-tenth the time and one-tenth the expense, removing the bureaucracy that slows down projects and adds expense. He also contends that the process will promote job creation.
Another pattern he explores here is the missing middle. For years, housing providers have focused too much on single-family detached or apartment buildings and not enough on the middle. He encourages builders to add new options and more variety to currently static community developments.
As Farr points out, older cities have a variety of housing types, including duplexes, three-flats, and even bungalows. This mix of housing products can fit on the same block, and, at the same time, can offer a healthy range of price points to expand affordability to more buyers. This diversity in housing choices can offer someone the ability to stay in a community over a longer span of time, giving them the option to move into a different home that meets their needs without leaving their friends, neighbors, or family.
