GreenDwellingSeattle

As we continue the latest project in our Seattle Green Building Series we catch up with Dwell Development as they move onward from the foundation work and into setting the Structural Insulated Panels for their four-unit townhouse project in Judkins Park.  We are very excited to show you the progress of the construction, but while they are setting the panels it seems a good time to talk a bit about the design of the project and some of the thought processes involved.  

According to Dwell’s architect Julian Weber, any respectable residential design starts with a careful evaluation of the site. Location and increased density potential come first, followed by the walkability, connection to public transportation, and finally the current and future vitality of the area they are considering. 

Once they have chosen a specific location, the Dwell team sets to work determining how they will maximize the potential of the site.  Increased density of our urban areas is a high priority for Dwell and their projects are, for the most part, infill developments where one home is removed and two, three, or in this case four homes will take it’s place. 

This is where careful design comes into play.  How do you create four individual homes where there used to be one and do so in a way that each home is uniquely individual and that each possesses it’s own and a collective connection to the world around them?  It is all about public and private spaces.  There will be the view that the outside world has of these homes and there will be the private experiences that each homeowner will cherish. 

One could look at the design process as starting from the outside and then moving indoors to create living spaces that will play off of and compliment the landscape surrounding a home.  Good architecture demands that there be a strong connection between a design and how it relates to the spaces surrounding it.  Looking at the image above the location of this project would place the two units in the foreground to the West overlooking Judkins Park.  The Northeast home will also have views of the park and all will enjoy panoramic views from the roof decks atop each unit.

At the heart of this design is it’s connection to Judkins Park and opening up the homes to it as much as possible.  The structures have a strong articulation of vertical spaces that will look out over the park and the city beyond.   The lofty interiors will accordingly open along a diagonal axis creating a great sense of open space within each unit.  The number and placement of the windows will work with the design to provide great views and natural light while at the same time creating a sense of privacy from the surrounding homes. 

Designing for a smaller footprint means that spaces must work in harmony with one another.  Dwell designs many of their homes with living spaces that borrow and share from and with one another.  The Kitchen, Dining, and Living Rooms are a subtle translation of the “great room” concept, allowing for an increased sense of space without the use of walls to define these spaces.  They also achieve this open feeling with split entries and open stairways. Their designs are a clever combination of natural wood, steel, and tile.  For the 23^rd Ave. project they have also chosen to leave a considerable amount of the concrete foundation exposed to offset the smooth finishes common to modern homes. 

The private living areas of these homes have been designed with the same dedication to maintaining a balance between public and private experience.  The bedrooms are bright, open and airy and the bathrooms are a trademark of Dwell’s projects with their dramatic use of tile and luxurious appointments.  The windows in these rooms are offset from those of the surrounding homes to maintain the sense of privacy.    

The four homes at Dwell’s 23^rd Ave. project will range from 1550 to 1650 square feet and each will feature double height windows in the main living area and a loft-like feel throughout.  Their design is intended as much for today as it is for tomorrow.  An important aspect of sustainable development is that a design must work for the present state of the area as well as for what the future might bring.  Dwell is committed to designing thoughtful, durable, quality homes that will stand the test of time. 

For our next post we will discuss in detail the Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS) that will make up the exterior envelope of these homes.  SIPS are a low materials demand product that provides a tight, well-insulated building.  This means lower operating costs for heat energy and a comfortable living environment year round.  This will be a very interesting post so stay tuned. 

If this is the first post you have read in our Seattle Green Building series take a few minutes to look over past posts about the process of building green homes in Seattle.  We would also encourage you to sign up for our RSS feed so you can easily keep up with the progress on these great projects.  Comments and questions add a great deal to the conversation and we love to know what’s on your mind.

Thank you for your interest and support.