the Neighborhood Design Center

Community Landscape Design,

Green Infrastructure

Hope Village

Hope Village Baltimore, addressing homelessness and creating community.

Hope Village will become a model for addressing homelessness in cities. The vision of Hearts Place Services, Inc, is to bring the costs of home ownership within the reach of low-income families. With generous financial sponsorships, they are turning vacant lots in East Baltimore’s Oliver community into homeownership opportunities for 13 households. The site is located in an area, with $18,190 average annual income.

It is a privately funded community of thirteen fully-furnished, 400-square-foot, single-family homes with wraparound porches and side yards created for homeownership for working, extremely low-income people or families who have experienced homelessness. The commercial developer is covering the difference between the actual cost and the sales price ($25,000) to the future homeowners.

Hope Village will become a model for addressing homelessness in cities. The vision of Hearts Place Services, Inc, is to bring the costs of home ownership within the reach of low-income families. With generous financial sponsorships, they are turning vacant lots in East Baltimore’s Oliver community into homeownership opportunities for 13 households. Through our Community Design Works program, the Neighborhood Design Center provided a landscape design plan that maximizes green space for each lot and turns an alley into a residential street through sidewalks, street trees and lighting, native plantings that are easy to maintain, and a community garden.

“Changes to the built environment are powerful and can impact the daily lives of hundreds of people.”

-Program Coordinator, Eleanor Luken


Through our Community Design Works program, we provided a landscape design plan that maximizes green space for each lot and turns an alley into a residential street through sidewalks, street trees and lighting, native plantings that are easy to maintain, and a community garden.

GUIDING DESIGN PRINCIPLES for HOPE VILLAGE

    • Create a neighborhood feel that allows homeowners to have pride of their private and
      shared public space

    • Use of Maryland native plant material to encourage a healthy wildlife zone

    • Where possible, use plant material instead of hard materials to delineate space

    • Create a streetscape that is inviting to existing homeowners in the area


We’re humbled and thrilled to see this project become a reality. The groundbreaking in September, 2021 drew a large audience.

The project received the Excellence in Design Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Maryland Chapter, and an honorable mention from AIA Baltimore.

Congrats and kudos to board member and architect Randy Sovich, and our volunteer landscape architect Sophie McGuire. We enjoyed cheering them on at the AIA awards.

Coming to Life

In 2024, construction is under way. With generous financial sponsorships, vacant lots in East Baltimore’s Oliver community are being transformed into homeownership opportunities for 13 households.

Similar Projects

Architectural and Interior Design

A.L.I.V.E. Performance Space

We created designs for this community center, including floor plans, code analysis, and renderings. These conceptual plans were used to help A.L.I.V.E. secure bond funding for phase 1 implementation of the design.



3714 Largo‐Kettering E/Studio, Largo Kettering Library — Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) conceptual designs by the Neighborhood Design Center and Gensler.

Architectural and Interior DesignCommunity Planning

The Commons

We worked with the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) to develop concept designs that empower library users to create, explore, inspire, and realize together. Each space will provide services specific to community needs.

People Pictured: neighbors, Bree Jones (Parity founder) is next to the person in pink, Stephanie Paul (Volunteer architect) is behind her in the jean jacket and black pants, Derek Moore (volunteer community engagement) is in the green hat)

Architectural and Interior DesignEngagement and FacilitationArts Planning and Cultural Programming

Parity Mixed-Use Community Space

We joined the effort to turn a deteriorating building into a vibrant, mixed-use space. Our conceptual plans include a storefront offering light food and programmable swing spaces for community use.

Work with us
Case Studies