I wrote an article for Guru Habits entitled, “21 Century Mayberry.” The most innovative neighborhood that I planned for this master-planned community is a project specifically designed for singles.
The focus of Solotopia Town would be on creating a neighborhood composed entirely of singles that would encourage friendship and comradery. The emphasis would not be on creating conditions for dating or finding a partner although this might happen naturally on its own. For example, community events would be common, but no matchmaking or trolling activities would be tolerated.
Solotopia Town would be similar to 21st Century Mayberry, but its design goals would center on meeting the needs of singles. The most creative aspect of Solotopia Town would be in the design of its detached homes. Since only one or two people would occupy the homes, and since singles tend to move more often and have less furniture than families, the design of the houses would be unlike anything you’ve seen in a typical housing project.
Home builders design detached homes for families. The homes in Solotopia Town would be designed exclusively for singles. This would allow the homes and lots to be smaller, have more built-in features, and be less expensive.
Like 21st Century Mayberry, Solotopia Town would have these features.
All the houses would be green, energy self-sufficient, and contain state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, electronics, appliances, and furnishings at a cost that is much, much less than a comparable home.
Houses would be on lots with attractive privacy fences and green belts with lots of trees and shrubs. The houses, garages, and access streets would be arranged in a way that takes the best advantage of the green belts and encourages pedestrian traffic and interaction between residents.
The community would include natural and landscaped parks, a business park supporting entrepreneurs, a co-op organic fruit and vegetable farm, and a “real” town center. The town center would be quaint but technologically advanced.
The houses would cost much, much less than a comparable home and neighborhood because of two (2) major differences: the design and size of the houses.
Through an innovative design approach, these houses would be 50 to 75 percent smaller than most homes today. But they would have all the latest technology and comfort features incorporated into a unique, clever, and efficient open design. The exclusive design along with its small size would facilitate much, much lower energy and water use and monetary investment in furniture, kitchen equipment, and personal electronics.
The exterior design of the houses would have an old-style appearance. However, there would be no compromises made in energy efficiency or green construction.
Because of their small size, the houses would only be suitable for one or two people. These homes would not be appropriate for single parents with children. Therefore, a separate neighborhood within 21 Century Mayberry would be built to fulfill their needs.
Beyond the small size of the homes, children would not be allowed in Solotopia Town for a number of reasons. Many singles today have made a conscious choice not to marry or have children. Other singles who haven’t yet made those choices prefer to live in communities with a high concentration of singles as opposed to families with children. In either case, it would not be fair to them to have to share a community with children that were designed for singles. After all, it’s called Solotopia Town, not couple’s town, not family town, and not kid’s town.
I have been working on designs for these houses and communities for years! So there are many more aspects of this project that I’ve developed that are too numerous and proprietary to include in this article.
With all the advancements in renewable energy and green technology, it is now possible to build this town as I described. And I see it becoming a reality. 🙂
For information on small houses, visit Guru Habits tiny living article category.