One trend that has marked the decade is using materials in new and unexpected ways. This facade is made from polypropylene panels that are usually used inside of trucks to keep things cool. "Up close, this skin...evidences a texture that arises from screen printing the panels with black ink. It is one of the most tactically inviting facades in this book," Hill writes.Design by Adjaye Associates with David Hotson Architect, 2005

Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New YorkWalk Score: 98Walker's ParadiseBut other boroughs score just as high, most notably Brooklyn. Fort Greene is one of many neighborhoods in the borough that has been gentrified to a greater or lesser degree in recent decades. This house is a little bit of a trek from Prospect Park (Brooklyn's answer to Central Park, also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted), but it is very close to the neighborhood's own Fort Greene Park.

The green secret of city living: walkability. Living in a dense urban area offers one distinct advantage over rural neighbors — namely, the ability to walk nearly anywhere. And where you can't reach by foot, it's likely you can use public transportation, virtually eliminating the need for a car.You can even get the Walk Score for your neighborhood, which takes into account things like proximity to markets, parks, shops and restaurants. Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where this home shown is, scores a 98: "Walker's Paradise." Read more about neighborhood walkability

Be a good neighbor. It’s always recommended to share your proposed plan with your neighbors prior to the design review meeting. Most neighbors will be in support of any improvements to the neighborhood, and it will help you avoid negative feedback from them during the meeting. Design review boards always find projects that have the support of the neighbors easier to approve than those that do not.Tell us: Do you have any design review process nightmares or successes others can learn from? Please share your story in the Comments.

Townhouse ext

grey townhouse

replicated as row housing

Consider your neighbor and existing landscape in your Preliminary plans

shape

hardi siding?

windows for jefferson

Fasade

urban-ind

modern, old, reuse, urban, infill, walkability, green

Nice design with the overlapping windows with the building on the left.

I like the color, texture, and starkly graphic forms of these buildings against the sky.

House on left. I think it's on Vanderbilt.

Interesting Roofline, SanteFe Meets Midevil

Maison

fibro

Cool psnels

Shades of tile like

urban industrial