City of Akron and Summit County Land Bank Unveil New “Made in Akron” Home Plans

The City of Akron and Summit County Land Bank today announced the completion of the Made in Akron housing plans, a new collection of 10 residential designs created to make it easier to build high-quality new homes that fit the character of Akron neighborhoods. Developed by Akron-based Grassroots Architecture in partnership with the City and Land Bank, the plans have been pre-reviewed through the Summit County Building Standards Department to help streamline the permitting and review process for builders and future homeowners. The project also includes a new Made in Akron Pattern Book that establishes a clear design vision for new residential construction while drawing inspiration from the architecture and character of Akron’s existing neighborhoods. Learn more here.

“Akron needs more housing, and that means we have to make it easier to build the kinds of homes and neighborhoods we want to see,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “Made in Akron gives builders a practical starting point while ensuring that new homes reflect the character of our community. This is one piece of a much larger effort to remove barriers to housing, encourage investment in our neighborhoods, and create more options for people who want to call Akron home.”

The 10 plans offer a variety of housing options and sizes, ranging from a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath cottage to a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath, two-story single-family home. The initiative also includes plans for a two-family home and small three-unit apartment building. Each was designed to meet current building standards while incorporating elements that reflect Akron’s architectural identity and existing housing stock.

The designs were developed by Grassroots Architecture, an Akron architecture firm led by founder Ryan Grass. Throughout the design process, Grassroots Architecture worked closely with City and Land Bank staff to balance construction feasibility, affordability, modern building standards and the architectural features that help new homes fit naturally within established neighborhoods.

“From the beginning, our goal was to design homes that feel like they belong in Akron,” said Ryan Grass, founder of Grassroots Architecture. “That meant creating plans that meet the needs of today’s homeowners and builders while drawing from the scale, character and architectural details that make Akron’s neighborhoods unique. We’re proud to have helped create a resource that can make quality new construction more accessible and help strengthen neighborhoods across the city.”

“Made in Akron is about taking some of the uncertainty, time, and expense out of building a new home,” said Patrick Bravo, Executive Director of the Summit County Land Bank. “These plans provide a strong foundation for builders and future homeowners while helping ensure that new construction contributes positively to the neighborhoods around it. We’re proud of what this partnership has produced and excited to see these designs move from concept to construction throughout the community.”

The Made in Akron Pattern Book complements the individual house plans by providing guidance on the design principles behind them. The resource is intended to help builders understand how elements such as building form, entrances, porches, materials and other architectural details can contribute to attractive, welcoming neighborhoods and a stronger sense of place.

Made in Akron is one component of the Malik Administration’s broader effort to increase housing supply, expand housing choices and encourage reinvestment in Akron neighborhoods.

The City has been working to address barriers to new housing development through updates to its zoning and development regulations, while also creating new tools to help residents access homeownership. Those efforts include the City’s new Akron Dreams Downpayment Assistance Program, investments in housing development and rehabilitation, residential tax abatement, and partnerships with the Summit County Land Bank and other organizations working to return vacant and underutilized properties to productive use.

Together, these initiatives are designed to address housing from multiple directions: making it easier to build new homes, preserving and reinvesting in existing housing, creating more types of housing in more neighborhoods, and helping more residents access homeownership.

“We know there isn’t one program that will solve our housing challenges,” Mayor Malik added. “We have to increase supply, reinvest in the homes and neighborhoods we already have, create more choices, and help people overcome barriers to homeownership. Made in Akron helps us tackle the supply side by giving builders another tool to turn vacant land into quality housing and stronger neighborhoods.”