Billy Hiron’s Post

This past semester, as part of my 5th-year studio class, my classmates and I collaborated with local government officials, such as the Village Manager, Kacey Dominguez, to develop a master plan vision for the Village of Stevensville, Michigan. We were tasked with creating a revitalization that honored the village's unique character and fabric. During the semester, we visited the site, talked with locals, and researched their existing master plan. All these efforts were made to make sure the dreams of the residents, business owners, and local officials who call Stevensville their home, feel as though their voices are heard. During the 2nd half of the semester, I was privileged to focus on "The Village Square," working closely with Kensuke Okawara to reimagine this often neglected portion of the town, into a hub for community connection and activity. We visited with many business owners to ask questions and present our original design ideas and made revisions based on their feedback. Our primary goal throughout the project was to promote the "Triple Bottom Line." (Planet, Profit, People) - Planet: How can we be conscientious of the natural environment? Is there a way we can implement native planting into our design to create a more cohesive connection between the built environment and nature? - Profit: How can we bring more businesses into this space? What businesses do the residents want to see in their town? - People: What makes a space that people want to be in? How can we transition from a vehicular-centric environment to be more walkable? This project was a wonderful opportunity to blend design creativity with real-world community impact, and I’m excited to see how our school's master plan might inspire future growth in Stevensville! #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #CommunityDesign

Building the Future, Honoring the Past. At CIRCLE WEST ARCHITECTS, every building tells a story. With our talented design teams, we do not just design structures, we craft environments where history and innovation meet. Imagine walking through a space where every detail is a testament to thoughtful design, where the lines between past and future are expressed purposefully. This is the kind of magic we bring to every project, whether it is breathing new life into a historic building or shaping the skyline with modern marvels. Our architecture does not just fill space, it defines it. It speaks of care, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We believe every brick, every pane of glass, has a role in telling your story, one of vision, value, and enduring beauty. Trust CIRCLE WEST ARCHITECTS to turn your real estate into more than just a property. We will help you sustain a legacy that stands the test of time. Let's build something extraordinary together.

🏢 Compact Housing in Nanaimo: Progress at 2126 Meredith Road Nanaimo’s push for more affordable and compact living options continues with a newly approved 21-unit apartment complex on Meredith Rd. This three-storey development will offer a mix of studios and one-bedroom units (some with dens) ranging from 450 to 750 square feet. Approved by council on Dec. 2, this project reflects a broader trend in Nanaimo: smaller, efficient housing designed to meet growing demand. With underground parking, secured bicycle storage, and thoughtful site adaptations, it balances modern urban living needs with a compact design. While this project had to navigate heritage considerations and zoning variances, it highlights the ongoing challenges of building smart density in a city balancing growth with community values. This development joins other compact housing initiatives across Nanaimo, including 23 micro-units at 420 Albert St. and a 31-unit complex approved for Robson St. earlier this year. Each represents steps toward solving the housing crunch. #NanaimoHousing #SmartDensity #AffordableLiving #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #HousingCrisis #CommunityGrowth #ModernArchitecture #UrbanPlanning #NanaimoRealEstate #BuildingForTheFuture

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐢𝐱𝐞𝐝-𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 The Council's latest proposals include new public toilet facilities and the relocation of the Changing Places facility, alongside demolition notices for Crown House and the former B&M buildings. These actions mark significant progress in transforming the town centre. Following recently approved plans for public realm works, which feature new artwork, social spaces, and improvements to the Len Medlock Centre, the vision includes a sensory garden and amphitheatre-style seating. Pending planning consent, Crown House will transform into a mixed-use building with retail units and apartments, enhanced by landscaping and parking. The revitalisation of Rosegarth Square aims to create a bustling community space with outdoor dining options and improved access to public transport, positioning it as Boston's gateway. Councillor Anne Dorrian highlights this initiative as a major milestone, enhancing the area's appearance, accessibility, and community potential, with improved public facilities closer to the town centre. #outdoordesign #landscapingideas #outdoorlivingspace #outdoorspace #commercialarchitecture Click the link below to read more and follow Lincolnshire In Focus for more regional updates. https://lnkd.in/eseQX8Wc

Some developments hit close to home. This new four-tower proposal in Etobicoke is set to rise right next to my old high school rival, Burnhamthorpe Collegiate. As a proud Martingrove grad, I can’t help but think about how much the neighbourhood has changed over the years. The area is evolving, and this development will bring even more density and modernity to the West Mall. I can’t say any of this is about architectural charm. But I am watching the whole area densify and challenge, if not change, its car-dependent built form. What do you think—are you seeing your old neighbourhoods change? #TorontoDevelopment #EtobicokeGrowth #UrbanExpansion #ShopLocal https://lnkd.in/g88vdS8K

Visualising plans for 149 new homes at Byron Quarter The partnership between the London Borough of Harrow Council and Wates Group Residential, has moved forward with their regeneration of key council-owned sites in Harrow following the submission of plans for Byron Quarter. The new low-rise development will deliver 149 new quality homes – including 71 three-bedroom houses. The plans place the two and three storey houses along the boundary of the site to promote privacy and to better integrate with the character of the neighbourhood. A new generous green space with relaxing seating areas and play spaces will sit at the heart of the development with walking and cycling links to the Belmont Trail and Byron Park. Our team at WyrdTree worked closely with the architect (undisclosed at this stage) in order to provide a compelling visual of the development, communicating the relation between the different house types and the green space between. Source: MyLondon and HarrowOnline https://lnkd.in/duNcmFA8 #Atmospheric #Immersive #ArchitecturalVisualisation

Homes that make a difference to people and the planet.   ECF has submitted plans for an additional 42 Passivhaus Classic certified homes in Crescent Salford.   Located on Cleminson Street’s Farmer Norton car park, these affordable, sustainable, three-bedroom homes will form part of Adelphi Village. They have been designed with the health and wellbeing of residents in mind, and the people living there will benefit from:   💡 Reduced energy bills of up to 90% compared to traditional housing 🏡 A comfortable living environment ☁️ Enhanced ventilation 🍃 Sustainable design and build   Set around high-quality public realm and designed by architects dRMM, Farmer Norton forms part of the wider £2.5bn Crescent Salford masterplan which will deliver up to 3,000 homes in the city.   If approved, work is scheduled to begin in summer 2025 and follows the success of Greenhaus – which saw 96 pioneering Passivhaus homes completed in March 2024 – and Willohaus, which is bringing a further 100 Passivhaus apartments to Salford and is expected to complete next year.   #Passivhaus #Placemaking #Salford

The Van Aken District in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is a prime example of how thoughtful development can transform a traditional strip mall into a thriving community hub. What was once a generic shopping center surrounded by expansive parking lots has been reimagined as a vibrant downtown destination. By constructing a centralized parking garage and introducing mixed-use buildings, the space now offers an engaging combination of residential units, restaurants, retail, and community-focused areas. This redevelopment demonstrates the potential of underutilized properties to become dynamic spaces that foster connection, commerce, and a sense of place. At Premium Property Trust, we are inspired by innovative projects like these that enhance the functionality and appeal of real estate while creating meaningful impacts on the surrounding community. Source: https://loom.ly/xwd2Eik . . . #premiumpropertytrust #birminghamalabama #bhamal #realestateinvesting #realestate #architecture #pptreit #realestateinvestment #realestateinvestmenttrust #buildinggenerationalwealth #mixedused #newurbanism #generationalwealth #investing #reit #ppt #verticalintegration #premiumbydesign

What's Happening in #Tampa / #StPete: The redevelopment of Central City YMCA's property in Tampa Heights will begin in the first quarter of 2025!! The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and Tampa-based Ellison Development on Thursday received final approval of their redevelopment plans from Tampa City Council. Council voted in favor of a rezoning request to make way for the redevelopment 5-1. This is a significant milestone for the Central City YMCA Development in Tampa Heights Here’s a breakdown of the plans: - 110,000-square-foot YMCA - More than 20,000 square feet of curated green space - 200-room lifestyle hotel - 184,000 square feet of office space - 100,000 square feet of retail space - 400 multifamily units; 10% will be designated for affordable housing The current YMCA will not close until the new one opens, and the entire redevelopment has a roughly five-year timeline. https://lnkd.in/g8k4m_HK Casey Ellison FleischmanGarciaMaslowski Architecture Marcel Maslowski Wendy Christenson Jennifer Wainman Matt Mitchell Tampa Bay Business Journal

Masterplanned Community in #Markham Would Replace Big Box Centre Beaver Creek winds its way past the intersection of Highway 7 and Woodbine Avenue in #Markham, heading southeast to soon join the Rouge River as it heads toward the Rouge National Urban Park lands. Here though, while the watercourse is presently surrounded by #commercial and #industrial properties, a pair of proposals to the east of the creek would see a significant amount of #residential space added to the mix in they are approved. The larger of the abutting proposals actually surrounds the smaller one. Currently a large #commercial site with big box stores, restaurants, and parking lots, Woodside #Markham is proposed to gradually be reborn as a mixed-use, masterplanned community. First submitted to #Markham in 2021, the #redevelopment plan has recently been revised and resubmitted to the City. Uncommonly for the Greater #Toronto Area, the latest plans for the #Markham Woodside Redevelopment foresee something less dense than initially proposed. Designed by Urban Strategies Inc. for SmartCentres REIT and Choice Properties REIT, the revised plan outlines buildings ranging from 4 to 30 storeys, now to include an office building, along with parks and significant landscaping. Source: Urban Toronto #BASTET #CANADA #BRITISHCOLUMBIA #ONTARIO #TORONTO #OTTAWA #LONDON #GTA #MANITOBA #ALBERTA #HAMILTON #QUEBEC #NIAGARA #VANCOUVER #CALGARY #RICHMOND #BURNABY #SCARBOROUGH #SURREY #BRAMPTON #COQUITLAM #TORONTO #MISSISSAUGA #ACBIM #ADABIM #ACPBIM #COORDINATION #VALUEENGINEERING #PEERREVIEW #CONSTRUCTIONPLANNING #PROJECTMANAGMENT #REALESTATE #DEVELOPMENT #CONSTRUCTION #DESIGN #RISK #PROJECT