The City of Boise Neighborhood-Scale Design Lab explores possibilities for housing typologies suited for Boise neighborhoods. We want to invite the community to reimagine housing in different neighborhoods and contexts throughout Boise by focusing on 3-12 unit housing buildings including triplexes, fourplexes, cottage villages, or small apartments. Enter to participate in the Design Lab and join this opportunity to influence Boise’s evolving neighborhood character!
Community Design Lab for Neighborhood Housing
Why It Matters For Boise
Boise has a long history of neighborhood-scale housing. Many of our neighborhoods such as the North End and West End were built with diverse housing types that today we call “middle housing.” Yet in recent decades, new examples have been rare. When we picture middle housing now, our minds often turn to older Boise neighborhoods or to examples from other cities.
This lab challenges our community to reimagine middle housing in Boise: How can infill fit within all Boise neighborhoods, from the Southeast to the West Bench?
In addition, this effort will also identify ways to improve our zoning code. We will work with the community to identify code amendments that result in more housing diversity across the city. Recommendations and findings from the lab will inform a future Zoning Ordinance Amendment (targeted for 2027), helping the city refine its code to better enable middle housing and expand housing choices for Boise residents.
Goals
The Neighborhood-Scale Design Lab seeks to engage a wide range of participants and encourage resident involvement in designing housing that contributes to both affordability and the unique identity of neighborhoods in Boise. To promote ongoing collaboration in the planning process, the city will use submissions to drive more informed evaluation and future amendment of zoning form standards in support of healthy neighborhood development.
Increase Variety
Showcase how middle or neighborhood-scale housing can be designed in a variety of neighborhoods, development eras, and site conditions.
Improve Affordability
Provide greater access to housing at all levels of affordability without the use of public subsidy.
Promote Climate Action and Resilience
Integrate resilience to local and regional climate impacts.
Foster Design Excellence
Uplift and inspire quality design within Boise neighborhoods.
How to Participate
If you are interested in learning more, attend the January 15th Event Launch.
The public will have the opportunity to vote on submissions at the April 13-16th Housing Week Gallery.
If you are interested in submitting a design:
Awards and Prizes
Winning submissions will be announced at a public awards ceremony at the end of Boise Housing Week. All qualifying entries will be published on our website, used in future publications, and featured at a City of Boise Housing Design Gallery.
Important Dates
- January 15, 2026: Event Launch
- April 1: Submission Deadline
- April 13: Housing Week Kickoff
- April 17: Awards Ceremony
Questions?
Send questions to Kayla Duclos at kduclos@cityofboise.org
Send a Message to Planning
Thank you for your interest in the Planning division. Please fill out the form below and a representative will be in touch with you. If you are inquiring about a specific project, please include the record number or project address.