We do see throughout Dallas a scattering of truly Modern Townhomes, like the ones Diane Cheatham is doing (Fairfaxdevelopes.com) Maybe the transitions for the smaller sq and higher level of quality lies in the patio/zero lotline home. If lots in Dallas were 25k and people cared about quality over quantity man could I design and build some sweet houses (dreaming...ok I am back) but that is not our reality.

Like Jeff I worry about what the neighborhoods will end up like when the cheap lots dry up. Sensitivity to me is more of a scale issue than style. I would rather see a neighborhood of mixed styles, yes even the French county crap, where the houses are a respectable scale and well designed. Maybe if energy continues to sky rocket people will begin to think small, due to operating costs, and quality will outweigh quantity. But even with rising costs this is many years away.

I really enjoy the efficient living of the MCM houses, for a nuclear family (2.5 kids and a dog) do you really 'need' more than 3-4 bedrooms? I would say no, it just takes some self control in your accumulation of stuff, and an occasional purge (I am currently in the purging stage right now.)

I applaud anyone who recognizes the need for proper scale to a neighborhood and resists the “one-deep” temptation (building huge facades on houses that are only one room deep to make them appear as large as possible.)

Yeah I must admit context and builders are two words not normally used in
the same sentence.
 
The area around Ridgelea is just starting to go through the "change". Presently
there are six houses and two more on the way on Ridgelea out of 30 existing
homes and a handful on the streets to the west. I am thinking that there is about
3-5 years till the neighborhood turns. The neighborhood see a lot of foot traffic
in the afternoons and evening, so I felt giving the home a human scale was a benefit.
I was also hoping to influence the design of the new starts. If the Ridgelea
home became surrounded by full faced behemoths the scale of street elevation
might take on the jewel box look. My thought process on or lack of the open kitchen
 is that I cannot see having the kitchen visible from the front door on a 500k+ home.
 This look is somewhat apartment/condo like. So I opted to open the space up with
the Living and Dining while providing a visual link to the Kitchen in the rear. Eliminating
the headers in the openings between the spaces is an attempt to have the ceiling
expand the space and make the kitchen the hub of the area. The concept designs are an
attempt to showcase some other examples of the design possibilities.That said,
 I do agree with your observation and the desire for the kitchen/living space.

Economics of Concept 3 area at best questionable. The cost per foot after
factoring in the land value and selling cost will be high based on other
new homes. While the cost per foot is high the actual sales price will be on
the lower end of most if not all the new rebuilds in most areas. My idea here
is to be able to offer a buyer the ability to a.) build a single level "executive"
 home and /or b.) own a new modern home in the mid 500 range. I would only
suggest this to buyers that intend to occupy their homes for an extended
period of time.

Mid Century vs. Cutting Edge Modern/Contemporary vs. Neo-Modern
Kessler Woods can support the Cutting Edge Modern Homes, I believe
due in part to the terrain. I enjoy driving through there.

Urban Reserve can somewhat pull it off because of the subdivision layout.
The water feature on the east  side of the road pushes the homes a good
distance from the street so you can, at least at this point, take in the entire
structure. The small box houses (not the Morrison at the south end) on the
rail side the street don't do much for me, tough scale and too close to the
street, questionable materials. I believe they would look better in a large field
or forest. Not a commercially viable product in my opinion. As a whole the area
does not do much for me although I do enjoy the entry at north end

Neo-Modern tries to capture the essence of the mid century designs, the warmth,
openness and scale using a diverse pallet of materials, woods, stones and stucco
and glass. I believe/hope that there is more of a market for this style, in addition
you can slip a Neo-Modern home in to most urban areas without the normal objections
or comments from the neighbors that you've lost your mind, are building a barn or
whats that ugly white box and you've ruined the neighborhood.

I guess time will tell.

BTW I enjoy the comments, thanks for taking the time.