I wrote an article entitled “21 Century Mayberry.” The most innovative neighborhood I planned for this master-planned community is a project specifically designed for singles.
Solotopian Town focuses on creating a neighborhood composed of singles to encourage friendship and comradery. The emphasis would not be on creating conditions for dating or finding a partner, although this might happen naturally. For example, community events would be common, but no matchmaking or trolling activities would be tolerated.
Solotopian 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 Solotopian Town would be 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 Solotopian 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, Solotopian Town would have these features.
All the houses would be green and energy self-sufficient and contain state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, electronics, appliances, and furnishings at much, much less than a comparable home.
Houses would be on lots with attractive privacy fences and green belts with many trees and shrubs. The houses, garages, and access streets would be arranged to take advantage of the green belts and encourage 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 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 incorporate all the latest technology and comfort features into a unique, clever, and efficient open design. The exclusive design and its small size would facilitate much lower energy and water use and monetary investment in furniture, appliances, and electronics.
The exterior design of the houses would be old-style. However, no compromises would be 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 Solotopian Town for several reasons. Many singles today have consciously chosen not to marry. Other singles who haven’t yet made those choices prefer to live in communities with a high concentration of singles instead of families with children. In either case, it would be unfair to them to share a community with children that was designed for singles. After all, it’s called Solotopian Town, not couples town, not family town, and not kids 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.
Building this town, as I described, is now possible with all the advancements in renewable energy and green technology. And I see it becoming a reality. 🙂
For information on small houses, see the applicable article category.