Christopher Hays and Allison Ewing envisioned creating a small community founded on ecologically intelligent planning and construction. They invited a group of respected colleagues and formed the Rivanna Collaborative LLC.

The site is a one and one-half acre parcel located at the corner of Chesapeake Street and Riverside Avenue, adjacent to the entrance of Riverview Park and will accommodate ten homes (two designed for Habitat for Humanity). The site was attractive for its proximity to Downtown Charlottesville, Virginia and the public transit system. The project will preserve open space in the form of a common garden. A rain garden adjacent to the common garden will filter storm water as it moves across the site.