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Anchiano is the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci. He lived in this small Italian village until he was 5. Great minds develop partly a result of the built environment. A study of this village, and Da Vinci, has inspired various traits of this contemporary Anchiano in Charlotte. Sense of permanence, public/private spaces, residential/commercial threshold, interactive community, socioeconomic balance, and contemplative alcoves, all are key elements in this symbiotic development.

Our study of Anchiano and the proposed site revealed the following:

1. The pedestrian/vehicular circulation and creation of common parks/quads supersede and form the boundaries/footprints of the buildings. (As opposed to common mega blocks of development that disallow circulation and activation). Mega blocks should be prohibited and the city should incorporate the ideas of "perforated urban-ism" which incorporates requirements for public through ways and active spaces throughout. Expand on Jane Jacobs ideas for eyes on the streets and also have eyes on inner streets.

2. Embrace vehicular circulation with pedestrians and keep the streets intimate (which is difficult with current codes, firetrucks, etc). Employ the ideals of "WoonErf", a dutch concept of a living street. This seems to hapen naturally in some of the older Italian villages such as Anchiano.

3. In Anchiano, there is little distinction between homes for poor, homes for rich and public buildings. Develop a sense of less hierarchy, even though a perception, could be a significant step to equality.

4. Focus on exterior (some interior) spaces that are free for collaboration and multiple uses.

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