Nature loves color and variety.

Look at any open field and it's a case study in biodiversity. We want some of this same diversity in our residential neighborhoods at Banning Lewis Ranch. Because difference is interesting. Sameness isn't.

As a result, we're thinking in terms of varied architectural styles. Varied roof forms. Varied setbacks from the street. Articulated exteriors. And strong applications of color. So that neighborhoods have their own character. So that when your mother-in-law comes for a visit, she'll never have to wonder which beige home belongs to you.

Authenticity

Remember that field we were just looking at? Look at it closely. It's full of life. And it's authentic because all of the elements work together naturally. The same is true of the best neighborhoods. The architecture feels authentic because the materials, the details, the proportions of the house, the slant of the roof, the shape of the porch columns … all of the parts look and feel appropriate to that particular style. If the architectural style calls for a front porch, then it has to be a functional front porch. One you can put some chairs and potted plants on. Not some little design afterthought that will barely hold a welcome mat. Authenticity is essential to long-term value — so it's an essential ingredient of Banning Lewis Ranch.

Four-sided architecture

This is a sort of corollary to authenticity. It's not enough for a home to look great from the street. (You've seen neighborhoods like this. They have a certain Hollywood movie set feel about them.) No, a well-designed home should be beautiful all the way around, even in back. To learn more about this, see "The Homes" page.

The garage thing

You know what we're talking about. That feeling you get in some neighborhoods where the dominant architectural feature is a big, white, flat, monotonous rectangle. The garage door. One after another. As if the homes were designed for cars first, people second. At Banning Lewis Ranch, you'll find the garages set back at various depths, giving each street an eye-pleasing variety. We want the garage to be a lot less visible, so the rest of the home — the part you're really proud of — can shine.