Students in the University of Virginia School of Architecture are developing a library of free plans for affordable, small homes, which could help with housing costs.
The Housing Futures Lab, directed by Schaeffer Somers, assistant professor of architecture and public health sciences, is partnering with Charlottesville to develop the open-source library of architectural designs.
Supported by a grant from the LS3P Foundation and led by UVA Architecture School alumnus Chris Boney, the program seeks to help communities increase available affordable housing in the southeastern U.S.
Schaeffer Somers, assistant professor of architecture and public health sciences, directs the Housing Futures Lab, which is partnering with the City of Charlottesville to develop the open-source library of architectural designs. (Photo by Tom Daly)
“The lab is working with Charlottesville to develop innovative housing designs for the city’s design library,” Somers said. “The goal is to make affordable dwelling units easier for anyone to build.”
High housing prices and rising rents in the post-pandemic U.S. have created a housing affordability crisis that’s been recognized by organizations from the U.S. Federal Reserve to the National Association of Realtors to financial firms like J.P. Morgan.
The problem is nationwide. Larger homes cost more to build, and the U.S. Census Bureau statistics show the median size of a newly built home has increased from about 1,500 square feet in 1960 to 2,200 in 2025.
According to a January report J.P. Morgan compiled, housing prices rose faster than annual income for the past three years. Higher interest rates on new mortgages are keeping many homeowners with lower rates from putting their homes up for sale.
“I think we’ve been sold the idea that homes are like cars – you should own the biggest one you can afford,” Somers said. “There’s a cultural mindset that bigger is better, that living large is something we should aspire to in a very literal sense.”
The free library will include plans designed by UVA architecture students, some of which were developed during fall courses. Working on a design are, from left, Sarah Tyner, associate professor Seth McDowell, Alexandra Cuenco-Olaya, Charlottesville planning commission member Betsy Roettger, Jo Blount and assistant professor Schaeffer Somers. (Photo by Tom Daly)
The affordability problem is also very local. As of early 2026, Charlottesville’s estimated median home price was about $500,000. Rental prices reached a median of nearly $1,900 a month. Rising costs led the Charlottesville City Council to approve a revamped zoning ordinance in 2023 to allow smaller, affordable homes and apartments on existing properties.
Homes at this scale are commonly referred to as “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs, and are similar in concept to guest cottages.
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