This undergraduate thesis explores how artificial intelligence and automation technologies might support new forms of exurban housing in the American Midwest. The project responds to a growing interest in living outside of traditional urban and suburban frameworks—prompted by rising housing costs, remote work, and a desire for more land, autonomy, and environmental connection. Rather than viewing technology as a replacement for architectural thinking, this project positions AI as a tool for optimizing performance, efficiency, and flexibility within a human-centered design process.

Drawing on historical precedents such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Broadacre City and Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City movement, the project situates itself within a lineage of alternative planning models that prioritize low-density living, integration with natural systems, and community self-sufficiency. These precedents, while ideologically and contextually distinct, share a desire to rethink how people might live outside of dense urban cores—offering a valuable lens for exploring today’s exurban condition. In addition, the design is informed by principles from Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language, particularly in its emphasis on spatial sequencing, comfort, and the intuitive qualities of well-loved places.

The design proposes a single-family home as a prototype for a small, off-grid community. The site is approached as a test bed for systems thinking: solar energy production, on-site water management, passive and active heating and cooling strategies, and resource-efficient construction methods are all considered in the development of a home that is both low-impact and high-performing. Drawing on zoning studies, solar orientation, material research, and parametric planning tools, the final design integrates architecture with landscape and infrastructure, aiming to reduce dependence on municipal systems while maintaining spatial richness and comfort.

The home itself is organized to support a range of daily routines, balancing openness and privacy, shared and independent zones. Spaces are scaled and situated to maximize passive environmental performance while still feeling connected to the land and surrounding community. A layered envelope system, integrated thermal massing, and operable shading devices are calibrated for seasonal performance. Technological systems—such as smart lighting, appliance control, and adaptive energy storage—are embedded within the architecture but remain secondary to the clarity and logic of the spatial design.

The project outcomes include not only a fully developed architectural proposal with material detailing and systems integration, but also a conceptual framework for how emerging technologies can support resilient, adaptable housing models outside of conventional development patterns. The thesis concludes that designing for exurban living requires a balance between architectural intuition and data-informed decision-making—one that places the designer in active dialogue with both the human and machine tools shaping our built environment.