Recent Projects

A closer look at our newest ventures, where creativity meets precision.

Recent Projects

A closer look at our newest ventures, where creativity meets precision.

Recent Projects

A closer look at our newest ventures, where creativity meets precision.

Urban Design Policies

The Wilmington Urban Design Guidelines establish a progressive framework to guide downtown growth, balancing modern development pressure with the preservation of the city's historic coastal identity. Authoring this framework, my objective was to transition high-level municipal policy into a predictable, high-performance design matrix that shapes the public realm. Rather than treating urban density and historic fabric as competing forces, the guidelines codify clear standards for building massing, active street frontages, and adaptive public spaces like the Riverfront Plaza. By defining explicit criteria for pedestrian-scale connectivity, resilient material palettes, and sustainable infill, these standards ensure that new investments enhance the economic and social vitality of Wilmington's waterfront while fortifying its architectural legacy.

Urban Design Policies

The Wilmington Urban Design Guidelines establish a progressive framework to guide downtown growth, balancing modern development pressure with the preservation of the city's historic coastal identity. Authoring this framework, my objective was to transition high-level municipal policy into a predictable, high-performance design matrix that shapes the public realm. Rather than treating urban density and historic fabric as competing forces, the guidelines codify clear standards for building massing, active street frontages, and adaptive public spaces like the Riverfront Plaza. By defining explicit criteria for pedestrian-scale connectivity, resilient material palettes, and sustainable infill, these standards ensure that new investments enhance the economic and social vitality of Wilmington's waterfront while fortifying its architectural legacy.


Ecological Integration

Nature 1.1

Integrate green infrastructure, native vegetation, wildlife habitat, and natural stormwater infiltration into project designs.

Nature 1.2

Incorporate Urban Forest Master Plan recommendations into project designs. Align tree standards and specifications with urban forestry industry standards and best practices.

Nature 1.3

Minimize impacts to natural areas and wetlands. This includes buildings and roadways, and their stormwater runoff.

Facilities 1.1

Incorporate passive design strategies in buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Facilities 1.2

Incorporate on-site renewable energy production or identify design parameters that will allow for future installation.

Facilities 1.3

Design parks and roadways to manage pollution and stormwater runoff from surrounding areas, where possible.

Utilities 1.1

Design and implement resilient utilities with redundancy and diversification to ensure that critical functions can be maintained during disruptions.

Utilities 1.2

Develop flexible and adaptive utility infrastructure that can adjust to changing conditions and demands.

Utilities 1.3

Integrate real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated responses to disruptions. Integrate resilient utility projects into the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.


Human Well-being

Equity 1.1

Prioritize mobility projects in historically underserved communities.

Equity 1.2

Ensure transportation facilities support the multi-modal mobility needs of all people regardless of age, size or ability.

Equity 1.3

Integrate Complete Streets concepts, Walk Wilmington recommendations, and Comprehensive Greenway Plan recommendations into all transportation projects.

Health 1.1

Design flexible greenspace to balance ecological, programmatic, and passive park needs to the greatest degree possible.

Health 1.2

Prioritize acquisition of open space in the areas identified on the Priority Areas for New Parks map of the Parks Master Plan.

Health 1.3

Prioritize construction and maintenance of Greenways, Streetscapes, and other Green Connections for inclusion in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan.

Art 1.1

Integrate art into all capital project designs. Consider murals, sculpture, architecture, and landscape, as appropriate.

Art 1.2

Find opportunities to celebrate our people, culture, and stories through the arts to foster a sense of community pride.

Art 1.3

Prioritize art in downtown, economic centers, and along major corridors.


Transportation & Economy

Transit 1.1

Deliver projects that increase equitable options for transportation including bike amenities, public transit, light rail, bus rapid transit (BRT), greenways, and ferry service with automobile needs.

Transit 1.2

Connect Economic and Mixed-use Centers with non-automobile transit options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ease congestion, and reduce parking needs.

Transit 1.3

Design projects to minimize conflicts and enhance safety between pedestrian, bike, vehicle facilities, and freight infrastructure.

Economy 1.1

Prioritize the design and maintenance of the Riverwalk, its connection points, and other city gateways.

Economy 1.2

New parks, plazas, greenspace, pedestrian facilities, and bicycle facilities throughout Economic Centers and the riverfront should be prioritized.

Economy 1.3

Maintain street and park landscaping to a high standard; expect maintenance cycles to be higher in Economic Centers. Trees and bushes should be kept planted and trimmed.

Development 1.1

Provide density along corridors to facilitate the greatest ease of transit use for those without vehicles; this is how to manage growth.

Development 1.2

Building frontages prioritized for the pedestrian experience is desired for all development, including all uses and zoning designations.

Development 1.3

Site and building design should prioritize walking, cycling, and microtransit - followed by public transport. Private cars should not be prioritized.

© 2026

© 2026

© 2026