The 13 Pillars of Serenity Village
A comprehensive, integrated approach to affordable housing that delivers transformative results
A Comprehensive Approach to Affordable Housing
At Serenity Village, we’ve developed a holistic, integrated approach to affordable housing that goes beyond simply building low-cost units. Our model combines 13 key innovations—or “pillars”—that work together to create a sustainable, supportive, and economically viable community.
By addressing construction techniques, environmental systems, smart technology, community resources, and economic opportunities simultaneously, we’ve created a model that delivers significant benefits while remaining within budget constraints.
Why an Integrated Approach Matters
Traditional affordable housing efforts often focus on a single aspect—reducing construction costs, adding some technology, or including a few community features. But these piecemeal approaches miss the powerful synergies that emerge when multiple systems work together.
For example:
- Our edible rain gardens manage stormwater while providing fresh produce and community engagement
- Owner-paid utilities with occupant sub-metering reduce administrative costs while encouraging responsible resource use
- Occupant caretaker training creates employment opportunities while addressing community care needs
This integrated approach allows us to maximize benefits without exceeding budget constraints. Each pillar supports and enhances the others, creating a whole that is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Our 13 Pillars at a Glance
1. Building & Construction Systems
SIP panels with embedded joists, I-beam perimeter foundation, modular half-unit construction, pre-routed utility chases, centralized utility nexus
2. Water Management & Food Production
Integrated edible rain gardens, central drainage pond with aquaculture, companion planting, dual-purpose stormwater calculations, water conservation systems
3. Advanced Smart Home System
Custom software platform with OTA updates, multi-user dashboards (tenants, landlords, housing authorities), utility metering, behavioral incentives
4. Smart Energy Systems
Individual mini-split metering, intelligent load shedding, energy budgeting, tenant incentives, battery backup, real-time monitoring
5. LoRaWAN Emergency & Security Systems
AI-powered emergency support, LoRaWAN emergency call buttons, low-power long-range communication, escalation protocols, integration with BMS
6. Human-Centric Environmental Design
Circadian lighting, acoustic design for noise reduction, microclimate management, strategic shade placement, thermal comfort optimization
7. Digital Infrastructure & Connectivity
Affordable shared internet, wireless mesh network with central antenna, digital inclusion strategies, integration with smart home systems, bandwidth management
8. Utility Management & Monitoring System
Comprehensive utility metering (water, electric, gas), usage pattern analysis, automated billing/allocation, regulatory compliance, consumption forecasting
9. AI & Memory Systems
AI-based tenant assistance, memory retention for resident preferences, predictive maintenance through AI, voice-activated controls, privacy-preserving AI
10. Transportation & Site Integration
Water taxi connectivity via Three Mile Creek, transit-oriented development, medical district connectivity, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, community space design
11. Resource-Efficient Utilities
Manifold plumbing with tankless water heaters, 24V LED lighting, optimized roofing (TPO or metal), HVAC zoning and smart control, waste management
12. Community & Economic Features
Shared resource management systems, economic incentive structures, community governance models, maintenance protocols, scalability and replication framework
13. Integration & System Interdependencies
Cross-system communication protocols, resource sharing between systems, optimization algorithms for whole-building performance, fallback/redundancy mechanisms, user interfaces
A Model for the Future
Serenity Village isn’t just about creating affordable housing—it’s about reimagining what affordable housing can be. By integrating advanced building techniques, smart technology, and community-centered design, we’ve created a template that can be adapted and replicated in communities across the country.
Each of our 13 pillars represents a critical component of this vision. Explore them individually to understand how they work together to create a truly transformative approach to affordable housing.