This developer project in Seattle’s Crown Hill neighborhood was one of our first new projects permitted after the 2019 upzone / mandatory housing affordability adoption. We were able to work with the client to reimagine the development to work within her business plan.

The unit plans are offset, creating access to southern light for the North unit, and creating privacy at the backyards, patios, and decks off the primary bedrooms despite mirroring the plan. The offset also helps to differentiate each unit on the street and helps the new homes stand out.

Limited by the allowable floor area, we used double height spaces at the center of each unit to maximize the use of the allowed space and make both units feel more expansive than the 1,850 SF allowed. This created a useful homework or reading space on the bridge, enhanced the privacy of the main bedroom suites, and brought plenty of light into the open plan main levels.