Evening aerial view of a residential neighborhood showing multiple clusters of townhomes and low-rise apartment buildings with parking areas, streets, and trees illuminated by streetlights. Front view of three-story townhomes with brown brick, white and blue siding, black metal railings, and small balconies, bordered by sidewalks and greenery. Wider view of a residential community with multiple three-story townhomes in brick, beige, and gray siding, a central blue play area with children climbing and running, and families seated on benches under clear skies. Row of modern three-story townhomes with varied brick and siding facades facing a landscaped outdoor play area featuring blue rubberized mounds where children are playing.

Kirkpatrick Park

As the first phase of the Envision Cayce Master Plan, Kirkpatrick Park sets a new standard for public housing—not just in Nashville, but nationally. Developed by the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA), the project combines low-income, workforce, and market-rate units side by side, creating a fully integrated, mixed-income community designed for long-term sustainability.

Built on Nashville’s largest subsidized housing site, the development was guided by three core goals: reduce concentrated poverty through integration, ensure one-for-one replacement of existing subsidized units, and allow current residents to remain in the community during the transition.

Instead of the uniform, institutional design often associated with public housing, Kirkpatrick Park features fifteen distinct residential buildings—two to three stories tall—comprising 94 units in a mix of townhomes, stacked flats, and townhomes over flats. The architecture responds to the character and scale of the surrounding historic neighborhood, while the steep terrain informed unique layouts, some of which include individual garages.

Every unit, regardless of income level, includes market-rate finishes and appliances—delivering equity not just in affordability, but in quality. The site also features a new pedestrian-friendly shared street (a "woonerf") and two small corner parks with seating and play areas that prioritize family-friendly design, offering residents a place to gather with both safety and dignity.

Year:

2016

Location:

Nashville, TN

Architect:

Smith Gee Studio

Client:

Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)

Services:

Architecture, Interior Design, & Master Planning

Awards:

ULI Americas, Finalist, Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable & Workforce Housing, 2022 CNU, Charter Award, 2021 NAHB, Multifamily Pillars of the Industry, Multifamily Community of the Year, 2020 NAHB, Multifamily Pillars of the Industry, Best Garden Apartment Community (4 Stories or Less), 2020 ULI Nashville, Excellence in Development People's Choice Award, ULI Nashville, 2020 ULI Nashville, Excellence in Development Award, 2020 Aurora Awards, Grand Honor, Best MF Housing Community (Up to 4 Stories for rent), 2020