Building Belonging Through Design: Hughes House
Hughes House is a transformative new construction multifamily community located in Fort Worth’s historic Stop Six neighborhood—designed to do more than provide housing. It is a place built on dignity, opportunity, and connection, honoring the legacy of Coach Robert Hughes, a Fort Worth icon whose life’s work centered on mentorship, discipline, and lifting others through leadership and belief.
Developed as part of the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative, Hughes House replaces the former Cavile Place public housing with a mixed-income, mixed-use community that reflects a future-forward vision for affordable housing—one that fosters pride, belonging, and long-term stability for families. Thiel & Team was honored to contribute interior design and FF&E expertise to a project that embodies the belief that thoughtful design can shape lives, strengthen communities, and create meaningful change.
A Legacy of Leadership, Reflected in Design
Coach Robert Hughes was more than a championship-winning basketball coach—he was a mentor, an advocate, and a steady presence for generations of young people in Fort Worth. His influence on Hughes House extends beyond the name, serving as a guiding philosophy for the project: create environments that empower, support growth, and bring people together.
That legacy informed design decisions throughout the community, particularly within shared spaces where relationships are built. From welcoming community rooms to flexible gathering areas, the interiors were designed to encourage interaction, mentorship, and everyday moments of connection—spaces where residents can come together, learn from one another, and feel supported.
Affordable Housing Designed for Belonging
As a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development, Hughes House delivers high-quality housing that remains financially accessible, ensuring residents spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. Rather than viewing affordability as a limitation, the design approach embraced it as an opportunity to make strategic, impactful choices that elevate the resident experience without exceeding budget constraints.
Research consistently shows that when residents feel a sense of belonging within their community, turnover decreases and quality of life improves. Hughes House was designed with this understanding at its core—creating spaces that feel welcoming, intuitive, and reflective of the people who live there.
Designing Spaces that Serve Diverse Needs
The interior scope includes thoughtfully designed common areas such as the community room, fitness center, game room, computer room, management offices, corridors, and paseo-connected gathering spaces. Furniture layouts were intentionally planned to support a variety of uses—group interaction, quiet focus, and moments of rest—acknowledging that community is built by accommodating different personalities, ages, and abilities.
Accessibility, durability, and flexibility guided material and furniture selections, ensuring that the spaces are inclusive, easy to maintain, and welcoming for families, children, and individuals alike. These design choices reinforce the project’s broader mission: to support residents not just today, but for years to come.
By coordinating interior design, FF&E procurement, and installation with construction and leasing milestones, Thiel & Team helped ensure that the project’s vision translated seamlessly from concept to completion.
Our Commitment to Community-Driven Housing
Thiel & Team is proud to partner with developers and housing authorities who believe that people come first. For affordable and mixed-income new construction projects, we offer:
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Deep expertise in LIHTC and HUD-supported developments
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Community-focused design strategies that enhance resident engagement and retention
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Turnkey interior design and FF&E procurement aligned with real-world budgets
At Hughes House, design became a tool for empowerment—creating a place where residents feel seen, supported, and proud to call home. Let us help you carry that same purpose forward in your next community.
