1. Form-Based Codes
Atul Sharma - Torti Gallas and Partners
Washington, DC, USA | Silver Spring, Maryland, USA | Los Angeles, California, USA | Istanbul, Turkey

2. Outline:
• Benefits of Form Based Codes
• Applicability of Form Based
Codes
• Structure of Form Based Codes
• Examples of Form Based Codes

3. Why Form Matters

4. Why Form Matters

5. Why Form Matters

6. Why Form Matters

7. Why Form Matters

8. Why Form Matters

9. Why Form Matters
Urbanism in the Age of
Climate Change
by Peter Calthorpe

10. It Is Not Complicated!

11. Tradition of Form Based Town
Planning

12. Developer as Town Founder

13. Illegal

14. Employment
Retail Center
Center
Multifamily
Single
Family
Detached

16. Mixed-Use
Citizen Compact
Participation Building Design
Predictable
Development Housing
Decisions Choices
Transportation Walkable
Choices
Regional Sense of
Balance Place
Open Space

18. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning

19. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning
A Clear Vision Based Separated Uses as The
on Consensus
vs.
Organizing Element
Employment
Retail Center
Center
Multifamily
Single Family
Detached

20. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning
Focus on the Public Placeless Sprawl
Realm
vs.
Patterns

21. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning
Predictability of Not Much Detail
Outcome
vs.

22. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning
Easy to Understand Over-Technical
Guidelines
vs.
Standards

23. Benefits of Form Based Codes vs. Conventional
Zoning
A Balanced Approach to Over Emphasis on
Implementation
vs.
Density / Use

24. Applicability of Form Based Codes

25.
New Communities
Walkable Streets
Vibrant Public Realm
Mix of Uses
Civic Uses
Character Derived from Local Context
Architecture Appropriate to Place

26. Sprawl Repair
Compact Development Patterns

27. Sprawl Repair Strategies
Sprawl
Repair Strategy
Characteristics
1. Segregated Land Uses
1. Mixed-Use Zoning, Interconnected Streets
2. Low Density
2. Increase Density, Smaller Setbacks & Yards
3. Auto Dependancy
3. Mixed-Use, Walk-able Streets, + Density, Bike
4. Lack of Connectivity
4. Require Street Connections
5. Jobs Housing Mismatch
5. Mixed-Use Zoning, Create Centers
6. Lack of Housing Choices
6. Permit Mix of House Types, Reduce Unit Sizes
7. Loss of Rural or Ag. Lands
7. TDR, Growth Boundary, + Density
8. Lack of Significant Centers
8. Create Mixed-Use Centers
9. Visual Clutter/ Pkng. Dominates
9. Have Form Reqs., Pkng. to Rear of Bldgs,
10. Pedestrian Hazardous
Shared Pkng., Reduced Pkng. Req.
10. Street Connections, Sidewalks, Pkng. To Rear

28. Commonly used names
• P
arallel Code
• S
mart Code
• D
eveloper Code
• O
verlay Zone
• D
esign Guidelines
• S
ector Plan/Specific Plan

29. Structure of Form Based Codes

30. Design Coding
Understanding the Context

31. Regulated Aspects
A. Allocation of Growth Sectors
B. Base Residential Density
C. Block Size
D. Public Frontages
E. Civic Open Space
F. Lot Occupation
G. Building Setback
H. Building Disposition
I. Private Frontages
J. Building Height
K. Building Function

32. A. Allocation of Growth Sectors
B. Base Residential Density

33. Block Size

34. Public Frontages

35. Civic Open Space

36. Lot Occupation

37. Building Setback

38. Building Disposition

39. Private Frontages

40. Building Height

41. Building Function

42. The Pattern Book Format
1. How To Use Book (Leed, Plan, Transect, Reg. Plan)
2. Styles Set Up as Principle Based
Title
Rule of Thumb
Why? – We do this Because… *
Plan Diagrams of T1-T6 Settings
What Matters & What Doesn t Matter
Photos: style variations
3. Massing Principles by T-Zone
4. Shelter from Parking – all configurations
5. Details:
Doors and Windows Chimneys
Porch Principles Water Collection & Storage
Piers Down Spouts
Columns Dormers
Capitals Roof Slopes
Bases Fences
Porch Beams Awnings
Railings Fountains
Roofs Lighting
Eaves Signs
*Need to couch in terms of health and wellness
(ex. To promote good ventilation, to minimize sick building syndrome)

43. Principle Based

44. The Town Architect

45. Examples of Form Based Codes

46. Brookview

47. Design Coding
Vision

48. Design Coding

49. Design Coding

50. Design Coding

51. Design Coding

52. Design Coding

53. Design Coding
Authority
Land Use
Urban
Standards
Thoroughfares
Open Space
Architecture
Definitions

55. Village Centers

56. Town of Babylon

58. Miramar Town Center

60. Capitalize on a need for a new
City Hall and leverage its value

62. The City of Miramar had the foresight to
recognize, and engage a representative
of, one of the key stakeholder groups that
it would take to make it happen – The
Development Community

66. Sequence of Open Spaces

69. www.newyorkcityfocus.com

70. Torti Gallas and Partners, Inc.
Atul Sharma
SmartCode
Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company
Pattern Book
Urban Design Associates
All Other Projects & Graphics
Torti Gallas and Partners
Loudoun Metro: Torti Gallas and Partners