Moody Nolan
The Legacy Project
Inspired to find a meaningful way to address the national housing crisis, Moody Nolan created a charitable endeavor—to design and deliver a home for a family in need.
After examining their yearly philanthropic contributions, the leaders of Moody Nolan were unable cite the tangible impact their charitable dollars made on the local community. Driven by a desire to create more visibility around the nation’s homelessness and affordable housing crisis, Moody Nolan decided to create a unique housing initiative. Planned as an annual gift, The Legacy Project seeks to design and deliver 12 homes in each of the communities in which it operates.
Architecture as social change
Legacy House exhibits a guiding principle of Moody Nolan—that architecture has the power to uplift and empower an entire community. The rising cost of housing perpetuates the cycle of homelessness for society’s most vulnerable populations. Unemployment excludes people from purchasing a home, and not owning a home often contributes to a lack of generational wealth.
Legacy House helps homeowners build equity and achieve long-term financial stability. Beyond providing secure housing to a family in need, The Legacy Project aims to bring together communities around a common cause. By inviting the community to participate in the design and construction of the homes, we inclusivity and a sense of ownership among the residents.
Right sized for efficiency
Research in 2018 suggested many U.S. homeowners were downsizing to smaller footprints, including 22% of the aging population and 32% of young adults. To ensure long-term economic viability, the footprint of each home is a modest 750 square-feet, allowing the team to maximize the quality and lifecycle of construction with commercial materials.
The building designs balance first cost with long-term value. Understanding that the tenants would have limited financial means, the design prioritizes investing in quality materials that are both sustainable and durable for long term use. Exterior finishes utilize recycled and low-maintenance materials to ensure longevity of lifespan and resilience to environmental factors.
Good design is for everyone
The design is architecturally modern, yet restrained, demonstrating that good design can be economical without extravagance. The bedroom count and overall design appeals to a mass market—from single professionals to young families and retirees alike. The double-height ceiling and glass front in the living space gives the room an open and transparent feel in a small space.
