As residential footprints evolve, vertical organization increasingly shapes how homes feel and function. It is no longer just about stacking rooms efficiently. How spaces connect, how light moves through the interior and how people experience transitions between levels all influence whether vertical living feels comfortable or constrained.
Across SHAWOOD communities, vertical planning plays a central role in shaping daily life. Living spaces are arranged to create a clear progression between floors, with moments that slow movement and introduce variety along the way. At SHAWOOD Folsom, the stair is treated as part of the architecture rather than a purely functional element. Mid-level landings become usable spaces, bringing light deeper into the home and creating a pause between primary living areas. These moments help break down vertical travel and allow the interior to feel more open and layered than its footprint might suggest.
That same approach carries into SHAWOOD Arcadia, where relationships between floors are carefully calibrated to support both connection and privacy. Interior volumes are shaped to feel generous without excess, and circulation is designed to feel intuitive rather than compressed. Transitions between levels allow each floor to maintain its own identity while remaining visually and spatially connected to the rest of the home.
Indoor–outdoor connectivity is integrated throughout these vertically organized homes. Upper-level decks and terraces extend living spaces outward, distributing access to light, air and views across multiple levels. Instead of concentrating outdoor space at the ground plane, these connections allow exterior areas to function as everyday extensions of interior rooms, enhancing comfort and livability throughout the home.
Elevate at Great Park addresses vertical living within a planned community context. The design focuses on how vertical organization shapes openness and experience inside the home. Two-story entry volume establishes a strong sense of scale upon arrival, visually connecting multiple levels and bringing light deep into the interior. Open-to-below spaces reinforce this continuity and allow interiors to feel expansive and adaptable. Outdoor spaces are layered throughout the home, including covered patios, balconies and roof decks that align directly with living areas, extending daily life outward and supporting a comfortable vertical lifestyle
Vertical living is shaped through thoughtful organization rather than formulaic solutions. By prioritizing light, movement and meaningful indoor–outdoor connections, volume feels more intentional and livable. When vertical planning is approached with care, it becomes an opportunity to enhance experience rather than a constraint to overcome.
These projects were featured in Volume 15 of our inspire magazine. Check it out here!
