ROOTS Design Infrastructure & Amenities
dDesign
- Variety of home styles/sizes/ prices to encourage social diversity
- Emphasis on sustainable, small footprint housing and miximized outdoor space and amenities
- Affordability of rental rates
- Open floor plans promoting circulation & flow
- Flexible & adaptable home layouts & design
- Street-facing porches, balconies, bay windows, & outdoor living spaces
- Thoughtful scale & situation of homes relative to others, e.g., density, heights, setbacks, garage/doorway positioning, etc.
- High-quality, authentic, local, long-lasting materials
- Design to meet specific population group needs (disabled, elderly)
- Multigenerational units (in-law suites, granny flats)
- Live-work units in community
- Pet-friendly design & amenities
Aesthetics and Function
- Numinous aesthetic designs & architectural elements
- Biomorphic design in forms, materials, finishes
- Unique sense of place and character
- Mood-enhancing colors
- Non-visual natural elements (sound, smells, etc.)
- Beauty/aesthetic design elements
- Authentic/culturally rooted design elements
- Indoor plants & greenery
- Food growing/ gardening space (indoors or out)
- Community gardening area
- Mixed use planning & design (residential/ retail/ commercial)
- Attractive/open common areas, hallways, & public/social spaces
- Open/accessible & attractive stairways
- “Hidden” elevators
- Outdoor exercise areas, equipment and spaces
Complete streets
- Walkability/pedestrian/bike-friendly design
- Disabled-friendly design
- Security/safety features (e.g., crosswalks, traffic calming elements, streetlights, etc.)
- Limited parking designed to encourage active/non-driving modes of transport
- Tree-lined streets
- Connectivity/flow/ walkability of street design (e.g., grids over cul-de-sacs)
- Benches along sidewalks/pathways
- Alternative transport amenities (eV charging, bike parking/ lanes)
Walkability
- “Town center” with retail, services, etc. in walking distance
- Services/amenities/ jobs/ schools in walking distance
- Schools within community
- Connectivity with nearby communities
- Job opportunities available within community
- Social Club provides co-working elements and amenities
Natural Elements
- Native/edible plant landscaping
- Educational elements, pedestals, tags and plaques
- Accessible bodies of water and nature (lake, river, forest)
- Community gardens
- Ample/accessible green space and open space
- Water views/features in design
- Tree canopy
- Wildlife habitats/ biodiversity protection
Eco-Friendly
- Dark sky lighting
- Solar, geo-thermal, wind-power systems
- Open space, conservation areas, & greenways
- Sustainable/energy-reducing materials & design
- Water reclamation, constructed wetlands, living roofs, etc.
- Composting and recycling facilities
- Alternative transport amenities (EV charging, bike storage)
- Energy-reducing/saving technology & design
- Environmental health monitoring systems
- Healthy/nontoxic natural building materials
- Air quality and fresh air/circulation/ventilation
- Astute soundproofing and noise control
- Healthy lighting (natural daylight, circadian)
- Pristine water quality
- Extensive indoor plants & greenery
- Rain gardens
- Rainwater collection tank/barrels
- Backyard wildlife habitats
- Native/edible plant landscaping
- Backyard gardening space
- Community non-smoking policy
- Environmental education/ awareness programs
- Homes built into hillsides for thermal gain
Wellness and Movement
- Wellness facilities e.g., clinic, mind/body studios, meditation areas, etc.
- Walking/running/ hiking/biking trails & pathways (off-street)
- Aquatics facility featuring saltwater pools in natural setting inc, indoor/outdoor
- Outdoor recreation facilities inc. sports fields, courts including tennis, pickleball, basketball etc,
- Water sports inc. paddling, SUP, sailing etc.
- Parks, playgrounds, pocket parks, gardens and parklets
- Meditation spaces, quiet areas, relaxation and retreat spaces immersed in nature
Whole Foods Focus
- Healthy whole food grocer, farmer’s market, community-supported agriculture (CsA)
- Organic farm with shop within community (or walkable distance)
- Healthy café and restaurant options
- Community garden space
Community Facilities and Activities
- Social club with co-working space, meeting and gathering spaces
- Continuing care facility on property
- Public plazas
- Community cooking/eating areas inc. shared outdoor BBQs, picnic areas, etc.
- Pet parks & amenities
- Recreation equipment sharing & rentals (e.g., bike share, scooters, etc.)
- Community/social events & activities (e.g., festivals, book clubs, etc.)
- Artist’s Colony, galleries plus public art installations and displays
- Community intranet/online platforms
- Car share, ride share, carpooling and bike share programs
Infrastructure and tech
- Underground power
- Solar on residences and community structures
- Solar farm and Wind Farm
- Biomass boiler for community hot water
- Smart home technology to manage energy and improve quality of life
- Shielded cables and conscious effort to reduce EMF in all areas of the community
- Ultra-High-speed Internet connectivity