A Placemaking Journal
Rowhouses Without the Wiggle
Having worked in communities big and small across the continent, we’ve had ample opportunity to test ideas and find approaches that work best. Urban design details. Outreach tactics. Implementation tricks. Many of these lessons are transferable, which is why we’ve created “Back of the Envelope,” a weekly feature where we jot ’em down for your consideration.
The townhouse, or rowhouse, is a traditional urban approach to density that, somewhat ironically, has been embraced by suburban builders. Over time, this once simple and elegant species has evolved (some might say devolved) to reflect its newfound environment, becoming “squeezed” in its appearance, with little bits and pieces protruding — wiggling — in the oddest of ways.
Having recently acquired the stature of fifty years on this earth, I’ve learned one must be judicious with one’s wiggle to maintain a degree of dignity. Over the course of the same period, however, suburban townhouse developers have failed to acquire the same wisdom.

Between its devotion to car storage and its need to express its individuality, this Florida townhouse is bustin' out all over.

The vibrancy of the city should be balanced by buildings that aren't screaming at you.
Lose the wiggle. Here’s five tips on townhouse restraint:
- Keep the façade flat. This saves on cost and frees budget for improved windows and materials.
- Resist non-rational articulation. Use simple solutions like porches, stoops, balconies or bay windows to provide interest while you develop faith in the attraction of the street itself.
- For fee-simple rowhouses, separate the roofs with parapets. For condominiums, the straight roof is fine.
- Break the parcels with passages mid-block. This permits easy access to the alley behind while providing two additional end units with additional light. However, avoid the temptation for frequent breaks as this begins to confuse the building type with less urban ones.
- The parking MUST occur in the rear with parallel on-street spaces for guests. This model depends entirely on the beauty of the public realm and can be destroyed by dominant parking stalls.
–Susan Henderson
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