proposed

RAINER BEACH MULTI-FAMILY

This 65-unit residential development in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood contributes to the ongoing initiatives to build an inclusive and thriving district that caters to its diverse community. The scheme considers the broader changes in demographics and density in the area while also considering the immediate urban conditions around the 16,000 sq ft mid-block plot.

Rainier Beach Housing is one of few new mid-rise developments in an area that remains characterized by one and two-story buildings. Our design responds to the buildings on each side of the site by breaking the mass into three five-story blocks arranged around a courtyard. By utilizing setbacks across all sides and optimizing the orientation of the three building blocks, the volumes become comparable in scale to their surroundings. Solar exposure and links to the central courtyard are also enhanced. The scheme’s only street-facing facade maximizes the waterfront views of Lake Washington with private balconies and common decks.

The 65 homes add significant housing stock to Rainier Beach—including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments—to be leased at market rate with approximately 25% allocated to Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability program. Based on responses to an extensive research-based community survey that we conducted, we devised a program mix that serves the explicit need for shared commercial spaces alongside additional housing. Consequently, our scheme features two floors of retail and below-grade parking. A gallery and cafe on the ground floor, a residents' lounge on the top floor, and a shared rooftop garden encourage social interaction and promote a sense of belongingness. The community space on the ground floor extends into the residential lobby for flexible uses that will help activate the avenue while engaging the community.

Services

Feasibility Study
Schematic Design
Design Development
Construction Documents
Construction Administration

Collaborators

Alemseged Bishu (Design, Graphics & Documentation)
Thiru Manickam (Design, Graphics)
Nathan Leverson (Design, Graphics, Documentation)
Chris Vander Haak (Graphics, Documentation)

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