Atlanta Infill Project Takes Inspiration From Dutch Design

A residential development includes a central courtyard designed to be shared by pedestrians and cars.

1 minute read

April 17, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Vacant corner lot in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded with low orange plastic construction fencing.

The lot at 3960 Clairmont Rd. before construction began. | Google Maps / 3960 Clairmot Rd.

A residential infill development in Atlanta uses Dutch-inspired design to build a seven-unit multifamily project on a ‘challenging’ corner lot.

As Josh Green explains in Urbanize Atlanta, the development, called The Foxtrot, uses a centralized communal courtyard known as a woonerf to provide shared space for residents and their vehicles. “The Euro-centric design style has gained traction in the U.S. (if not yet in Atlanta), with the intent to create tighter spaces that slow down vehicles and encourage people to step outside and congregate, project officials told Urbanize Atlanta in 2022.”

The townhomes in The Foxtrot will each include roof decks and two-car garages, reducing the footprint of the building while still accommodating private cars. According to Green, “Homebuilders have predicted the design will stand out enough in the Clairmont corridor to help serve as a new gateway to the City of Chamblee, which is experiencing its own influx of downtown development nearby.”

Monday, April 15, 2024 in Urbanize Atlanta

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 4, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

White and yellow DART light rail train in Dallas, Texas with brick building in background.

DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process

The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.

May 28, 2025 - Mass Transit

Aerial view of large complex of apartment buildings surrounded by fall foliage trees in suburban Dallas, Texas.

Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs

High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.

1 hour ago - Point2

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug in about as much time as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

3 hours ago - PC Magazine

Worker in hard hat stands in front of oil pipeline under construction with yellow heavy equipment.

Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law

The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.

June 5 - NPR

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.