We are urban designers and architects who believe in the transformative power of beautiful, sustainable, walkable communities for all.
Missing Middle Housing
Walkable, attainable communities people love to call home
Opticos principal Daniel Parolek inspired a new movement for housing choice in 2010 when he introduced the concept of the “missing middle” in American housing. Today, Opticos creates innovative architectural designs to help build walkable communities with unique, diverse housing choices that are attainable for all.
Zoning codes for
people-centered places
Opticos is a world leader in zoning reform for walkable, sustainable communities. We didn’t create form-based coding, but we’ve been trailblazers in the field for more than 20 years. We are experts in understanding how the form of buildings will shape community spaces, and we can simplify the process of introducing form-based codes with a predictable build-out.
We Can Help By
Featured Projects
Culdesac Tempe: A Car-Free Neighborhood
Tempe, Arizona
Daybreak Mews Homes™
South Jordan, Utah
Downtown Davis Specific Plan + Form-Based Code
Davis, CA
Vallco Town Center Specific Plan
Cupertino, CA
Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan
Memphis, TN
Town Square and Beachfront Master Plan
Seaside, Florida
Citywide Place Types Strategy and Form-Based Code
Cincinnati, Ohio
Prairie Queen Missing Middle Neighborhood
Omaha, Nebraska
Downtown Davis Specific Plan + Form-Based Code
Davis, CA
Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan
Memphis, TN
Vallco Town Center Specific Plan
Cupertino, CA
Citywide Place Types Strategy and Form-Based Code
Cincinnati, Ohio
Culdesac Tempe: A Car-Free Neighborhood
Tempe, Arizona
Daybreak Mews Homes™
South Jordan, Utah
Town Square and Beachfront Master Plan
Seaside, Florida
Prairie Queen Missing Middle Neighborhood
Omaha, Nebraska
Recent Awards
Kauaʻi Kākou General Plan Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan
Kaua'i General Plan
Kaua’i, HI
Kauaʻi Kākou General Plan Outstanding Plan Award
Kaua'i General Plan
Kaua’i, HI
Latest From Opticos
On the boards:What we're working on
Iowa City Form-Based Code Analysis
Iowa City, IA
Downtown San Rafael Precise Plan
San Rafael, California
Nystrom Village Conceptual Master Plan
Richmond, California
Courtyard Infill Housing
Ralston, NE
Ending Systemic Oppression
“To everyone who is feeling anger, sadness, frustration and grief right now: we see you and we hear you.” ~Calvin Gladney, President and CEO of Smart Growth America
Ready to Help
To Our Clients, Colleagues, and Friends: We hope you are staying healthy and safe. As has been the case since our founding 20 years ago, our mission at Opticos is to support and help strengthen communities, and we remain ready and able to do …
