A neighborhood informed by New Urbanism rises in Raleigh, N.C.
By blending new and old styles with similar and unique elements, The Founding at Blue Ridge builds upon the principles of New Urbanism and a design ethos that’s rooted in the Southeast.
Custom luxury builders Homes by Dickerson saw an opportunity to add housing in North Carolina’s bustling Raleigh-Durham area, which is home to nearly 1.5 million people. The small but thoughtful neighborhood they’re developing builds on area infrastructure improvements aimed at making shopping, parks, and downtown Raleigh more accessible by car, foot, and bike alike. The idea behind the new neighborhood is not just to build houses but to build a lifestyle. Here’s how they’re doing it.
New Urbanism–inspired planning
If one end of the spectrum is the suburban developments of old—with no sidewalks and a maze of streets—and the other is the new, gentrified urban centers where infill homes are out of scale and divergent in style from their neighbors, then The Founding at Blue Ridge aims for a space in between.
“It has a cohesive streetscape where each home reflects a sophisticated and thoughtful design,” said Katherine Trogdon, design manager at Homes by Dickerson. Consistent setbacks, elevations, color palettes, and materials give the neighborhood a collective identity, one that’s both “congruent,” as the project team tends to describe it, and distinctly Southeastern.
Southeastern charm
“The original design inspiration was drawn from the architecture of Alys Beach,” said Trogdon, pointing to the luxury seaside community on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Founding borrows the all-white exterior aesthetic that makes Alys Beach homes and buildings both striking and climate appropriate.
“Achieving that vision required architectural elements that felt clean, timeless, and elevated,” according to Trogdon. Some of those elements include dormers, metal roofs, and abundant indoor/outdoor spaces. Porches, verandas, swimming pools, and outdoor kitchens make the most of North Carolina’s mild weather.
All of the homes in the neighborhood also feature Andersen 400 Series windows and patio doors. The project team chose this product line because of its design flexibility: Either contemporary or traditional frames and profiles can be selected with 400 Series products, perfectly suiting the transitional style of the neighborhood.
Despite the neighborhood’s cohesive overall aesthetic, each home still retains its own identity. Some draw on Cape Dutch influences, while others veer toward a modern farmhouse style. The effect is one that blends individual expression with a sense of community ideally suited to the neighborhood’s goals.
Interested in learning more about Andersen’s versatile 400 Series windows and doors? Find out more about this product line, including newly added offerings.
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