As we quickly march into July and some of the units at Karwick Village are now visible, we are happy to finally be able to give everyone a glimpse of what the exteriors of Karwick Village’s units will look like! We have been working with Molly Hannon of Paladin Design House on the thoughtful design of this community. The design came together through collaboration and intentional design. Today, we are so excited to share this with our community.
Exterior Design Philosophy
The exterior design of Karwick Village reflects a careful balance between coastal charm and practical inland living. At the heart of our approach is a mixed board pattern that combines both vertical and horizontal board and batten siding, creating dynamic visual interest across each structure. This design feature allows each unit to stand out in a subtle yet cohesive way.
Color Palette and Materials
Our color story centers on a simple, yet sophisticated cool palette designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The primary siding features a tranquil White Dove finish, a choice made specifically to honor our proximity to the beach while acknowledging that the property sits inland. This soft, clean base is beautifully complemented by classic soft gray trim that adds definition and warmth to each unit’s exterior.
The material selection prioritizes both aesthetics and longevity. We’ve selected low-maintenance LP SmartSide® that will weather gracefully over time, preserving the community’s aesthetic appeal. The wood’s natural warmth is enhanced by carefully crafted architectural details, including traditional corbels, and refined trim work that gives each unit and the community as a whole a welcoming, homey character.
Roofing and Metalwork
The tin-style roofing was selected not just for its durability and low maintenance, but for its authentic nod to coastal and agricultural architecture. Finished in brushed silver, the roof complements the exterior metal lighting fixtures beautifully, creating a cohesive design language that feels both contemporary and timeless. This metalwork adds subtle industrial touches that ground the softer wood elements while maintaining the overall tranquil aesthetic.
Personalization and Community Connection
One of the most exciting aspects of this design is the opportunity for resident personalization. Each resident will be able to choose their door color through a cooperative decision, allowing individual expression while maintaining the community’s overall design harmony. This small but meaningful choice helps residents feel a sense of community and pride in their homes from the very beginning.
The site planning reinforces community connection by orienting all units toward a central shared green space. This design decision creates natural opportunities for neighbor interaction while ensuring that every resident enjoys views of landscaped open space rather than parking or service areas. The green space will be planted with native species, supporting local ecosystems while minimizing water usage and maintenance requirements.
Design Partnership
This thoughtful approach to affordable housing design comes from our collaboration with designer Molly Hannon, whom we had the pleasure of interviewing earlier this spring. Her philosophy centers on creating beautiful, affordable housing. You can read more about her design aesthetic for this project and her broader thoughts on affordable community design in our earlier interview here.
Creating Home
Every design decision, from the mixed siding patterns to the native landscaping, work together to create a sense of place that residents can take pride in calling home. The result is a community that feels both rooted in its location and ideally suited for everyday living, demonstrating that thoughtful design and affordability can work in harmony.
This thoughtful design approach, from the resident-selected door colors to the native plantings surrounding the shared green space, demonstrates how affordable housing can embrace both functionality and beauty. The combination of low-maintenance materials and warm architectural details creates a community that feels both contemporary and timeless, ideally suited for its location.
