A building should reinforce the physical "fabric" of the surrounding neighborhood.

The overall size and shape of a new building(s) can have a huge impact on the surrounding neighborhood and on how a development is perceived by the community where it is located. The height of a new building is extremely important - too high and it can overwhelm its neighbors; too low and it can create a gap in the physical "fabric" of a neighborhood. The overall scale and massing of a new building should also try to match that of the surrounding neighborhood. The overall form of a new building should incorporate as much variety as possible and avoid large expanses of flat wall or roof.

Creating a building whose size and shape generally complement the size and shape of surrounding buildings will go a long way toward making a new development acceptable to its neighbors. At the same time it will reinforce the perception among residents that their housing is "just like everyone else's."