Belvedere Pleasanton, CA

This unique land plan clusters homes in groups of four around European-styled, cobblestone courtyards, bringing an intimate, village-like atmosphere to the 112 single-family detached home community. Four floor plans were designed to compete with the conventional single-family house with a new market aimed at pulling people out of rentals and townhomes. The clustering and private courts create a sense of neighborhood, while making better use of the land by allowing larger separate yards. Additionally, the street scape is enhanced by removing the rows of garage doors off the street, which is so common with the small lot plan. In fitting pieces together, this small lot design creates neighborly, sociable communities that have not been possible when rows of houses line a street.