Groundwork Strategies supported the Southside Modular ADU Pilot, a community–academic–industry partnership designed to bring durable, attainable accessory dwelling units to Southside Richmond. This project demonstrates how gentle density can strengthen neighborhood fabric without sacrificing history or identity, delivering a 650 sq ft modular ADU that fits the rhythm of Southside’s blocks while providing new housing options for multigenerational families, aging residents, and workforce renters.

GWS advised on replication strategy, policy alignment, modular systems design, and implementation pathways—helping partners translate an academic prototype into a practical, buildable model. The pilot combines community development, the VCU Da Vinci Center’s multidisciplinary studio, Southside’s neighborhood leadership, and Cardinal Homes’ modular engineering to create an accessible, universal-design ADU with a sub-$100K target cost.

By grounding the project in community voice, universal design, and modular durability, the pilot offers a replicable blueprint for increasing density without displacement. It shows how modern backyard homes can deliver long-term affordability, zero-step accessibility, and neighborhood compatibility—while building the partnerships and systems needed for ADU production across Central and Southwest Virginia.

Impact: A durable, accessible home; a new workforce and education pipeline; and a repeatable model for small-scale infill that builds resilient communities from the gro