Challenge

Across New Jersey’s older neighborhoods, aging residents face rising housing costs, inaccessible layouts, and homes disconnected from the rhythms of nature and community. The challenge was to design a small, age-friendly dwelling that could be built affordably while fostering independence, dignity, and connection. The project asked: Can a modest house become both personal sanctuary and civic gesture—an architecture of care rather than retreat?

Outcome

Plum Tree Dwelling reimagines the narrow lots in Trenton, New Jersey, to hold courtyard houses wrapped around a flowering plum tree—the heart of daily life and the calendar of seasons. The 1,024-square-foot prototype integrates universal design principles—no thresholds, curbless shower, wide turning radii—with the warmth of natural light and outdoor access from every room. Economical wood or modular construction keeps costs in reach, while material options explore low-maintenance and sustainable assemblies. Beyond its physical design, the project models how small, replicable dwellings can help older adults remain in their neighborhoods—rooted in community, surrounded by life, and connected through the shared poetry of a tree.

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Jury Comments:

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​The lot requirements for this design match any urban-oriented town in New Jersey, and suburbs with limited space, such as Princeton or Essex County towns. This design can be used on almost any lot to create multiple, single-family units instead of “McMansions.” It also gives an alternative for young families – whether someone’s first/starter house or their last/downsizing house, the design meets the need of residents of all ages.

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