Work Thunder Valley Climate Change Resilient Housing

Project
Thunder Valley Climate Change Resilient Housing
Client:
Thunder Valley Community Development Corp.
Location:
Porcupine, South Dakota
Size:
21 Single Family Affordable Homes
Completed:
Under Construction

How can opportunities for home ownerhsip create a pathway out of poverty?

Pyatt Studio was contracted to design a total of 21 units of single family affordable housing for Phase 1 of the Thunder Valley Regenerative Community.

Referencing the sacred geometry of the teepee circles that the Lakota ancestors traditionally lived in, the site plan for the homes incorporates a small group of 7 homes arranged around a circle of shared space to create a “pocket neighborhood.”  Each of the 3 pocket neighborhoods include east entries, community gardens, playground spaces, integrated storm-water systems, and access to community buildings for ceremonies and family gatherings.

The homes are designed to maximize their passive & active solar access, connect to the common area through east entries and exterior porches, and allow for expansion through pre-planned wheelchair accessible bedroom additions.

In order to achieve affordability, the homes were designed to be built through a sweat equity and training model that will result in between 15-30% cost savings for low income Native American families living in the development. The development will also provide market rate options that are affordable to moderate income families.