The Higher Design Journal
A collection of ongoing thoughts on architecture, planning, and placemaking. Follow along and stay updated on LinkedIn.
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
I’ve been thinking about this first of 9 principles from Get Your House Right by Marianne Cusato, not just as an architectural idea, but as a community-building standard.
We can’t just design nice buildings, or draft great codes, or write walkability plans in isolation.
We need the parts to work together, to serve people, not just check boxes.
Illustration by the renowned Leon Krier
Street Facing ADU’s
“If you can’t afford the whole house, you probably don’t belong here.” Heaven forbid someone feel integrated into the neighborhood, rather than labeled “a basement dweller.”
Housing Dignity
Deliver housing that respects tradition, supports community, and offers attainable beauty without compromising functionality.
Georgian & Colonial Architecture
“…there’s a lot to learn from how these buildings were shaped by necessity and clarity.”