What Is a Cottage Cluster?
A cottage cluster is a development that utilizes small, detached homes arranged around shared open space – blending community and privacy in equal measure. These neighborhoods, often called cluster housing developments, have become a defining feature of the “missing middle” housing movement: projects that fill the gap between single-family lots and large apartment buildings.
At Wolf Industries, we’ve spent the several years refining what it means to be a cottage cluster builder. From factory precision to full-service permitting and installation, we don’t just design neighborhoods – we deliver them. Our completed and in-progress projects in Vancouver, Washington, including Ogden District Cottages, Image District Cottages, and Orchards District Cottages, show exactly how modular construction can bring new housing to life faster, cleaner, and smarter.
Why Cottage Clusters Are Gaining Momentum
Across the Pacific Northwest, cities and developers are rethinking density. Land prices are climbing, zoning laws are evolving, and communities are seeking ways to welcome growth without losing character. That’s where cottage clusters shine.
By clustering smaller homes around shared green space, these neighborhoods:
- Use land more efficiently while maintaining a residential feel.
- Encourage community through common courtyards and pedestrian paths.
- Provide high-quality housing options that are energy-efficient and affordable to maintain.
Local governments are also embracing these developments as tools for “gentle density” – increasing housing supply without high-rise construction. For builders, the challenge is finding a way to scale these projects predictably. That’s exactly what Wolf Industries has solved through our turnkey modular approach.
The Wolf Process: Turnkey Cottage Cluster Building, Simplified
When you work with Wolf, you’re not coordinating a dozen vendors. You’re partnering with a single design-build manufacturer that handles everything from early feasibility through final installation.
Our process includes five core stages:
Proposal – Every project starts with a property evaluation. We review zoning, access, and utilities to confirm whether a cottage cluster is viable.
Permits – Our in-house team prepares submittals and coordinates with local jurisdictions to streamline approvals.
Production – Homes are built inside our Battle Ground, Washington factory under controlled conditions, ensuring precision and consistency.
Delivery & Setup – While our factory team builds, our field crews prepare the site. Once the modules arrive, setup and finishing happen quickly – minimizing disruption to neighbors and the environment.
This integrated workflow shortens project timelines, reduces waste, and delivers predictable outcomes – a key advantage for developers and municipalities balancing budgets and deadlines.
Ogden District Cottages: Building the First Modular Cottage Cluster
Located in Vancouver, Washington, Ogden District Cottages marked Wolf’s entry into the cottage cluster space. This site feature cozy, contemporary 1 and 2-bedroom homes.
The open-concept great room, highlighted by a vaulted pine ceiling, creates a spacious and inviting ambiance, ideal for both relaxation and entertaining. Natural light streams through numerous windows, while elegant quartz countertops add a touch of sophistication.
Our 2-bedroom layout features a stacked washer and dryer, while the single bedroom option has a standalone laundry room. Each unit has its own air conditioning ensuring the perfect temperature all year long.
Each home was manufactured off-site and set in place within days, dramatically accelerating the construction schedule. The result was a beautiful, livable community built to high standards — demonstrating how modular can deliver both quality and compassion.
This project proved that the cottage cluster model could align social impact, smart design, and rapid delivery – all through modular construction.
Image District Cottages: Partnering with Habitat for Humanity
Following the success of Ogden, Wolf moved on to deliver the Image District Cottages, also located in Vancouver. This cottage clusters is a thoughtfully designed pocket community of contemporary one- and two-bedroom cottages.
Instead of the same tired rental story thin walls, dated interiors, rising rents Image District Cottages introduces something entirely new.
Each home is a standalone residence, crafted with bright, open layouts and modern designer finishes. Residents enjoy the privacy of their own space, balanced with the charm of a pedestrian friendly courtyard that encourages connection and community.
This project reflects a commitment to livability and design forward housing a refreshing alternative to conventional apartment living. This neighborhood expanded attainable homeownership opportunities through modular design. Each home was factory-built for precision, energy efficiency, and affordability, then installed on pre-prepared foundations.
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity ended up purchasing this project, serving as another proof point that modular could scale effectively for nonprofit housing developers and municipalities alike.
Orchards District Cottages: Streamlined Production with Model F Homes
Wolf’s current community, Orchards District Cottages, continues that evolution. This 14-home neighborhood, located in Vancouver’s Orchards area, features exclusively Model F Wolf Homes — a design chosen for its balance of efficiency, functionality, and timeless curb appeal.
Orchards demonstrates Wolf’s ability to repeat successful designs at scale. With parallel workflows – factory production and site preparation happening simultaneously – we’re able to meet tight schedules and coordinate multiple deliveries with precision.
The result: homes arriving on-site nearly complete, placed in position within hours, and ready for finishing in a fraction of the time of traditional builds. During this build our delivery team was able to deliver and place 11 houses in a 3-day time period, further proving the efficiency of parallel timelines for production and site work.
Why Choose Wolf as Your Cottage Cluster Builder
Wolf’s modular approach to cottage cluster development offers clear advantages:
Proven Experience – Real communities on the ground: Ogden, Image, and Orchards District Cottages.
Turnkey Expertise – One partner from zoning review through final installation.
Predictable Timelines – Factory-controlled production ensures consistency, speed, and reliability while parallel timelines reduce overall build time by months.
Local Commitment – Every Wolf home is built in the Pacific Northwest, by a team dedicated to raising the bar for regional housing.
Developers, landowners, and municipal partners trust Wolf Industries because we’ve demonstrated, repeatedly, that modular construction and community design can work hand in hand.
How to Start Your Own Cottage Cluster Project
Ready to explore your own small-lot community? Wolf’s Property Evaluation Process is the first step.
- Submit Your Site – Send us your property details through our Property Evaluation Form.
- We Review Feasibility – Our team analyzes zoning, access, and utilities to confirm your site’s potential.
- Receive a Proposal – We’ll provide a conceptual plan, layout, and cost structure to help you move forward confidently.
Whether you’re a developer planning a multi-unit community or a city exploring infill options, Wolf brings a proven framework that simplifies the path from concept to completion.
Conclusion: Building Communities, Not Just Cottages
Wolf Industries isn’t just a builder – we’re a team of innovators focused on density with dignity. Every project we complete moves the needle toward smarter, more sustainable housing for the Pacific Northwest.
When you search for a cottage cluster builder with real projects, real partnerships, and real results, Wolf Industries stands apart. Explore our multi-unit process, review our case studies, and see how modular design can help your next community take shape – faster and better than you thought possible.
Start Your Property Evaluation today to get started.