GreenDwellingSeattle

For the last many weeks we have been walking through the process of constructing two green homes in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood.  The idea behind following the project this way is that by seeing and talking about how a home is built we can create a greater understanding of why green building is so important and encourage more people to explore its possibilities.

When we think about green building we most often focus on a set of issues related to materials, energy, and indoor air quality.  Buildings account for approximately 40% of materials and energy use worldwide so it is understandable that these items would be high on the list.  However, when we look at the bigger picture of sustainability we see that it is not just the materials and technologies that homes are made of, but how they are connected to the communities they are a part of that can play a significant role in the future of our built environments.  This week we are going to talk about the neighborhood and community that these two homes are being built in, and also touch on how they fit into a vision for a more thoughtful, connected existence.

Columbia City Green is being built in, you guessed it, Columbia City.  This vibrant Southeast Seattle neighborhood was originally settled around a lumber mill after the arrival of the Rainier Valley Electric Railroad in 1891 and was known as Columbia.  “Columbia City” was incorporated in 1893 and was annexed to Seattle in 1907.  The early 1900’s was a prosperous era for Columbia City, but in the 1930’s and 1940’s it entered into a long period of slow decline and by the mid 1970’s it showed clear signs of neglect and deterioration.  Seeing value in the history of the neighborhood local residents sought and received designation as a landmark district.

Then and now community activism has played a major role in the vitality of Columbia City.  Four organizations in particular have been pivotal in implementing programs along the way to ensure that the area retains its connection to its history while continuing to develop as a community focused, pedestrian friendly, culturally diverse and thriving neighborhood.  These organizations are the Columbia City Development Association, the Southeast Effective Development (SEED) non-profit community development corporation, the Columbia City Revitalization Committee, and the Columbia City Business Association.  With the efforts of these and countless individual citizens and businesses Columbia City has and continues to become a special place to live, work, play and be.

For Case Architects the beauty, efficiency, and impact of their homes is only part of the equation.  Tony Case wants his homes to be well and easily connected to the communities that they exist in.  His choice to build most of his homes to date in or near Columbia City has a great deal to do with its connection to public transportation, its diverse urban environment, and the fact that he can walk to them from his office.  As an active member of the Columbia City community he is participating in far more than simply the construction of homes, he is connecting the dots to create a greater sense of community and encourage social, economic, and environmental responsibility.

Seattle’s first light rail system (scheduled for operation mid 2009) passes within blocks of many of his projects, easily connecting its residents to the city and beyond.  This is hoped to produce a more pedestrian friendly environment which will in turn encourage more pedestrian traffic, and with that fewer cars and a strong community connection amongst Columbia City’s citizens.  There are parks, galleries, theaters, bars, restaurants, schools, a farmers market, and more, all within a short walk and the entire region is easily accessible by bicycle.

There are neighborhoods all over Seattle where community involvement is strong and Columbia City is just one of them.  As a relative late comer in the revitalization game it holds great opportunity for a thoughtful, connected approach and plan for its future.  It will be interesting to see how it changes once it is (re)connected to downtown Seattle by an electric train.

The other projects that Case Design & Project Management has built are:

· Letitia Avenue Development

· 34^th Avenue Development

· 3951 South Mead

If this is the first post you have read on this great project you are encouraged to take a few minutes to go back and read the posts that have come before it.  For more information about Case Design & Project Management please visit their website at www.case-architects.com. Seeing what goes on behind the walls of these homes can be an incredibly interesting experience.  If you have anything to add or a comment or question please don’t hesitate to let us know.