Name
Designing the Missing Middle - Three Firms, One Conversation
Date & Time
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Speakers
Thom White, AIA, Work Program Architects Design Principal
Peter Johnston
Suping Li, GARC LLC President and Co-founder
Gerrie West
Peter Johnston
Suping Li, GARC LLC President and Co-founder
Gerrie West
Description
Missing Middle Housing is widely seen as key to addressing today�s housing shortage while preserving the walkable, human-scale character of our neighborhoods � so why is it still so hard to build? This panel brings together designers from WPA, Dills Architects, and GARC to explore the gap between concept and construction, using Norfolk�s Missing Middle Pattern Book as a case study. Panelists will discuss barriers such as zoning, financing, and perception, alongside tools like pre-approved plans and streamlined approvals. The session reframes the Missing Middle as a practical, scalable approach to expanding housing choice and supporting resilient communities.
Location Name
Salon B