THE CANOPY - GULF COAST STUDIO

2025 POOLE & CO ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN MERIT AWARD RECIPIENT

PROJECT COMMENTS:

"THE CONCEPTUAL MASTERPLAN IS BOTH LOGICAL AND CREATIVE. THE DENSE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ALONG DIVISION STREET, WITH RESIDENTIAL TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH, YIELDS A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS WALKABLE AND RESILIENT, WITH EASY ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE."

"HOUSING TYPOLOGIES ARE CLEARLY EXPRESSED IN PLAN, ELEVATION, SECTION, AND RENDERING. AND THE SECTIONS EXPRESS ANOTHER UNIQUENESS OF THE PROPOSAL: THAT THE HOUSES ARE ELEVATED ABOVE GRADE SO THAT FLOODWATERS FLOW BENEATH THEM."

"THE DOUBLE-SINE-WAVE OF DIVISION STREET UNIQUELY EMPHASIZES THE NATURAL AREA, AND ENHANCES THE CONTRAST BETWEEN NATURAL AND CONSTRUCTED."

-POOLE & CO ARCHITECTURE TEAM

CONCEPTUAL STATEMENT

The Canopy is a mixed-use development designed to blend seamlessly into East Biloxi’s coastal landscape while prioritizing sustainability, community engagement, and coastal resiliency. With 140 residential units and 20 commercial spaces, The Canopy offers a vibrant, walkable neighborhood where nature and design coexist harmoniously. Elevated above the base flood elevation, the homes and commercial spaces are raised on platforms, protecting from storm surges while ensuring unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty.

At the heart of The Canopy is a large, mass timber pavilion that serves as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike. The pavilion’s shaded platforms and open-air theater space provide a venue for community events, performances, and cultural activities, fostering a deep connection among the residents. The pavilion’s design emphasizes the principles of passive design—maximizing natural ventilation and light—while incorporating eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies.

The development is anchored by a lush, expansive stormwater management bioswale, which channels rainwater runoff and helps to restore the ecological balance of the area. This bioswale is integrated into a broader bayou restoration effort along the Back Bay, creating a living, green corridor that supports local wildlife, mitigates flooding, and enhances the overall environmental resilience of the community.

Through its careful design, The Canopy is a celebration of the region’s coastal identity, combining natural systems with human-centered spaces to create a sustainable, resilient, and connected community for future generations.