The Indigo Community Tour: Redefining Suburbs with Middle Housing Design

This video is sponsored by S&J Vital Construction. Proudly serving the Houston area for your new construction, renovation, or demolition needs. S&J prioritizes direct communication with their clients to understand your ideas and concerns, ensuring they exceed your expectations. Visit their website today for a quote on your next project! https://www.sandjvitalconstructions.com/ Welcome to Episode 1 of our deep dive into the Indigo Community! Join Vanessa Cole of Cole Klein Builders, Scott Snodgrass of Meristem Communities, and host Garland Harris Jr with Middle Housing Design Co. as they explore a radical new take on suburban living. Instead of the standard auto-dominated layouts, Indigo is designed for walkability, human connection, and diversity In this episode, we break down how developers are using "missing middle" housing types—like cottages, alley-loaded garden homes, and historic live-work townhouses—to build a healthier, more resilient neighborhood. Plus, learn why this community chose an operational farm over a high-maintenance resort pool! What We Cover in This Episode: Designing for People, Not Cars: How ditching front driveways for front porches and sidewalks fosters safety and community interaction. The Mews & Alley Courts: A modernized take on the cul-de-sac that prioritizes pedestrian mobility and replaces expensive pavement with vibrant landscaping. Housing Diversity: Why mixing home prices—ranging from $200,000 to under $2 million—is crucial for a functioning community ecosystem. Rethinking Amenities: How swapping a $300,000/year swimming pool for a community farm provides year-round engagement and education. Live-Work Spaces: Exploring ground-floor retail spaces paired with residential upper floors, bringing local businesses directly to residents. Local Eats: A look at on-site offerings, including craft coffee, local meats, natural wines, and sourdough pastries cultivated from a 2011 starter. ⏱️ Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 – The Radical Vision Behind the Indigo Community 01:31 – Solving the Problem of Auto-Dominated Suburbs 02:05 – Introducing The Mews: Swapping Pavement for Landscaping 03:17 – Why Indigo Mixes Housing Types & Uses Front Porches 05:20 – Price Points ($200k to $2M) & The Importance of Diversity 08:35 – What is an "Alley Court"? Modernizing the Cul-de-sac 10:50 – Ditching the Resort Pool for a Community Farm 11:54 – Exploring Missing Middle Housing & Live-Work Townhouses 13:14 – Local Businesses: Organic Farming, Biodynamic Wines & Craft Coffee 16:24 – How to Visit Indigo & Episode Wrap-up 🔗 Want to learn more? Experience it for yourself or visit them online at indigocommunity.com! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and tune into next week's episode to hear more about why Indigo is such a great place to live! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the resources we offer for R.E. Developers! https://middlehousingdesignco.systeme...