The Picket Fence

  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Housing Innovation Alliance

The Picket Fence concept home, designed by DAHLIN for the America at Home Study, redefines the American Dream by offering a modern, attainable living space that adapts to the needs of the next generation. In an era where homeownership is evolving amidst affordability challenges, The Picket Fence emerges as a pioneering solution that balances cost, quality, and functionality.


At three stories high, The Picket Fence is comprised of two spaces—a 660-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at the ground level and a 2,007-square-foot two-story townhome, the primary residence above. This design caters to the desires of discerning, savvy residents looking for a home that can evolve alongside their lives, offering a model to close the attainable housing gap in the United States.

Targeted at the Trail Blazers demographic, ages 24 – 36, a forward-thinking segment of the Millennial generation, The Picket Fence offers a smarter way to live. The home includes flex spaces for a home office, gym, meditation area, or nursery, with an energy-efficient and tech-enabled design that makes it affordable to maintain and easy to operate. The ADU provides ultimate flexibility, starting as additional rental income but capable of transforming into intergenerational living space when family needs change.

The design philosophy behind The Picket Fence is guided by three key pillars: livability, sustainability, and attainability. These principles inform every aspect of the home, from private entrances and covered decks to adaptable interior spaces and energy-efficient technologies. The modular construction method used ensures consistent quality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, making it possible to produce high-quality homes quickly and efficiently.

By embracing this modern construction method, The Picket Fence serves as a prototype for future developments, demonstrating how innovative design and construction can create more attainable, sustainable, and livable homes for the next generation. With its emphasis on flexibility, wellness, and sustainability, The Picket Fence offers a new blueprint for living well in the modern world.

Contact DAHLIN to discuss how to apply the America at Home Study consumer insights to your next project.  

Project Specs

Building Area:660 sqft accessory dwelling unit and 2,007 sqft townhome

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