Future of Living Investment Tiers

Courtyards, campuses, and cities. Distinct, but not mutually exclusive.

Quick post today, but it will help bring better definition to the Future of Living landscape. If we want to address social, environmental, and housing crises that exist in the US and beyond, we’ll need to invest in three distinct kinds of development.

Each scales in required funding, design, and regulatory complexity:

Courtyards ($1-10M)

Intimate communities of 15-20 adults and children, perfect for fostering deep connections among friends and family. These "supernuclear" groups can share spaces like kitchens, gyms, and gardens. Courtyards integrate well into neighborhoods and can evolve from a cluster of existing properties with local regulatory approval.

Radish in Oakland is a good example of a courtyard

I want to one day live in a courtyard with my family, all of my friends, and their families.

Campuses ($10-100M)

Planned, self-sustaining hubs for 100-1,000 residents, featuring shops, restaurants, and parks. They are often multigenerational, car-free, and secure. They usually require re-zoning and broad local support to realize their vision.

Culdesac started in Tempe and is now developing another campus in Atlanta, GA

I want my courtyard to be part of a campus where everybody around me values and cares for our neighborhood.

Cities ($10B+)

Large-scale, dynamic urban environments for 10,000+ residents, featuring robust market economies, transit systems, and cultural landmarks. Cities demand partnerships with government or major institutions to navigate complex infrastructure challenges.

California Forever is an example of a possible future city in Solano County

My dream city is filled with campuses and courtyards connected by a network of bike paths and clean, efficient public transit.

I hope to help build some of each in my career. If you’re working on any of these kinds of projects, let me know how I can help.