Rethinking Suburbia: David Horwath on Building the Future with Traditional Neighborhood Design

In this episode of Authority Architects, hosts Stephen Skeel and Michael Ayjian sit down with David Horwath, President of Land Innovations, to explore a visionary approach to community building rooted in the past but designed for the future. Through the lens of Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), David shares how his company is redefining what it means to live, connect, and thrive in modern suburban spaces.

Creating Towns That Connect Generations

David and his team at Land Innovations are challenging the status quo of suburban sprawl with a radical yet timeless idea: What if families could live on the same street again?

With projects like Stevens Valley and Nolensville Town Square, Land Innovations is designing walkable, mixed-use communities where:

• Multi-generational families can live across the street from one another

• Residents can walk or bike to local shops, cafes, and even healthcare

• Town centers recreate the charm and functionality of European villages

By prioritizing human connection and thoughtful design over isolated development, Land Innovations is bringing back what many towns have lost: community.

Why Video Content (and Real Stories) Matter

David emphasizes the importance of storytelling in spreading the word about these community-first developments. Through LinkedIn, Instagram, and their upcoming website, Land Innovations is pulling back the curtain to show the process, the people, and the progress that make their neighborhoods special.

It’s not just about houses. It’s about life happening outside of cars. Video, in this context, becomes a powerful tool to document and share the real moments: construction milestones, legacy land partnerships, and families living their best lives.

Lessons From Around the Globe

With experience developing across continents, from Brazil to Canada to military housing in the U.S., David brings a global perspective to local planning. His belief? The best towns are those that prioritize people over vehicles. Whether it’s the piazzas of Italy or the historic streets of Philadelphia, timeless design principles still work today because they’re built on the need for human connection.

“If we connect people, it doesn’t matter the mode of transportation—we’ll still seek those places out.”

The 7 Wonders of Community Design

Throughout the conversation, one theme emerges: Intentionality is everything. From measuring courthouse squares to match historic proportions to engineering behind-the-scenes water systems, every detail matters. It’s this thoughtful attention, what we might call the 7 Wonders of modern town building, that elevates a development from just livable to truly remarkable.

Want to see this vision come to life?

🎥 Watch the full podcast episode above to hear how David is shaping the future of suburbia. One walkable town at a time.