Trinity Commons

Trinity Commons is a mixed-use neighborhood design located in Brunswick, GA — the second-largest urban area on the Georgia coastline. The site spans 71 acres bounded by Golden Isles Parkway, GA 303, and Altama Avenue, in the College Park neighborhood surrounding 4817 Malabar Drive. Once a 1,000-acre tobacco plantation called Plug Point, the area's identity is layered with Victorian residential character and contemporary social vulnerability. The team's design responds to documented flooding, the absence of streetlights and sidewalks, the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020, and the everyday concerns of a coastal community that has weathered hurricanes Irma and otherwise.

Triangular geometry — symbolizing purpose and strength — serves as the central design motif influencing the site's layout and aesthetics. The masterplan prioritizes community engagement through thoughtful gathering spaces, recognizes social vulnerability through integrated safety features, and incorporates sustainable practices for environmental resilience. Native, salt-tolerant plants thrive in the coastal environment while reducing water consumption. Green infrastructure elements — rain gardens, bio-retention areas, bio-swales, green walls, and green roofs — manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality.

The team distributed work across plaza, masterplan, parking and circulation analysis, planting plan, green infrastructure, house plan, house perspective, and grading. The result is a neighborhood that solves flooding issues, honors Ahmaud Arbery, adds streetlights and sidewalks, and creates more desirable park space — all while respecting the area's history and accommodating its commercial and residential mix.