Designing for Community Impact and Developer Success.

As cities across the country rethink zoning and push for more inclusive housing policies, developers face the challenge of delivering affordable housing that’s both financially viable and community minded.

At Cove Architecture, we specialize in finding that balance, helping you respond to complex regulations, community needs, and economic realities with clarity and speed.

Smarter Planning. Shared Outcomes. Stronger Communities.

Here’s how Cove Architecture supports successful, affordable housing developments:

Inclusionary Zoning Strategy

Navigate affordability requirements and density bonuses with confidence. We help you interpret local policies and apply them strategically to unlock incentives like increased unit counts or reduced parking minimums.

Highest and Best Use Scenarios

Evaluate a wide range of land-use options to find the configuration that optimizes space, design integrity, and long-term project success—ensuring you build more without compromising your vision or values.

Real-Time Design Feedback

Our team and technology respond quickly to evolving zoning inputs, helping you maintain momentum without rework or delay.

Optimized FAR and Massing

Maximize the impact of every square foot. We model Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and site coverage to uncover opportunities that conventional approaches often overlook.

Community and Developer Alignment

Balance what the community needs with what the project requires. Our simulations help you move forward with confidence, grounded in both purpose and practicality.

Feasibility-Backed Design

Every scenario we deliver includes performance and financial considerations, so your design decisions support long-term feasibility, not just approvals.

Project Spotlight:
Ralph David Abernathy Affordable Housing

In the heart of one of Atlanta’s Inclusionary Zoning districts, Cove Architecture partnered with a local developer to reimagine a small multifamily site just steps from the Atlanta Beltline. Originally planned for eight units, the project’s scope evolved dramatically through rapid scenario testing and zoning strategy powered by our proprietary AI technology.

By modeling incentive layers and optimizing site use, our team identified a path to double the unit count to sixteen, while maintaining compliance, supporting community needs, and preserving financial viability.

‎Project Highlights:

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  • 2× Density Increase
    Expanded from 8 to 16 units through strategic use of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) bonuses and massing optimization.

  • Affordability Compliance
    Ensured that 20% of units qualified at 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) to meet Inclusionary Zoning requirements.

  • Scenario-Based Planning
    Ran dozens of land-use and design iterations to identify the highest and best use of the site—balancing livability, density, and feasibility.

  • Zoning Agility
    Adapted in real time to evolving city comments, allowing for seamless coordination with the planning department and uninterrupted momentum.

  • Mission-Aligned Feasibility
    Delivered a solution that met both community housing priorities and project performance targets, keeping the development on track and viable.

Ralph David Abernathy AI Powered Design Cove Architecture

What Smart Planning Achieved.

Delivering affordable housing is complex—but it doesn’t have to be a compromise.

With Cove Architecture’s AI-supported, human-centered approach, you can plan faster, design more effectively, and create spaces that serve both community needs and development goals.

Let’s talk about what’s possible on your site.