Home as Neighborhood explores how shifts in the scale of the interior, the body, and the home can influence urban design at larger scales, including the block, community, and region. It focuses on retrofitting suburbia through design strategies at the home and neighborhood level, using methods like photography, mapping, and figure-ground studies to develop a practical guidebook.

The research examines five West Coast cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver—each with unique suburban forms shaped by their geography and climate. With recent zoning reforms aimed at increasing density and housing diversity, the study explores how suburban areas can evolve into mixed-use, transit-oriented communities.

By analyzing site design strategies—such as street networks, access points, building massing, and open space—the research considers how modifying elements like setbacks, garages, and parking lots can foster vibrant, accessible public spaces. Ultimately, it questions how small-scale architectural changes can drive broader urban planning strategies, aiming to create communities that support less driving, better living, and environmental health.