Jumpstarted the transformation of the Mt. Baker neighborhood, beautifying an underused and car-oriented area to an urban village, which encourages residents to use bikes, public transportation and the neighboring light rail station.
Collaborated internally as our civil and structural teams strategized against exceptionally poor site conditions, eventually addressing the site’s liquefiable soil with an 80-foot-deep pile foundation system designed to carry the weight of the building and resist potential earthquake forces.
Attracted creative businesses and artists to permanently affordable housing and opportunities to share their craft with the neighborhood. At four stories, the building offers 57 affordable live/work units and 12 ground-level commercial spaces that open onto wide sidewalks and a plaza.
Customized the space for its future tenants. Unlike a typical residential building, the majority of the units are high-ceilinged studios with emphasis placed on acoustics, durability and wall-to-wall openness. It’s expected that resident creatives will transform their large space (their blank canvas) into something completely their own.
Designed an inviting, pedestrian-friendly streetscape which featured an 18-foot setback, overhang shelters, a brick colonnade, landscaping, plazas, and even street-level art showcases.
Supported the addition of an urban garden and green roof, a standout amenity which works in conjunction with the stormwater management system and contributes to the building’s LEED Silver and Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS) certifications.
Understood Artspace’s position as a non-profit, and kept costs low by selecting conventional materials, limiting piles in the foundation system, and creating efficient structural layouts for the units and commercial space.