CRITERIA RESPONSE

Seattle has recently expanded the area in single-family zones where detached accessory dwelling units (DADU) can be built on most city lots. We believe that this change in legislation opens opportunities for property owners to adapt to changing economic conditions in our city. DADU’s can be supplemental income generators, create greater diversity in family/living conditions, and will in general foster more sustainable conditions such as supporting public transportation and other services that depend on density.

This proposed project reflects our response to this new opportunity both technically and architecturally. The site is unusual due to its generous size and level topography, so it is ideally suited to an increase in density and could serve as a model for similar semi-suburban sites in the region. The design is intended to create bright, efficient, modern mini-dwelling that has a comfortable relationship with its backyard garden environment.

Technically, our design seeks an innovative approach to small scale building on an occupied site, one that increases use of off-site production and decreases site impact. This building meets a Built Green five star rating. Some key technologies employed are: a low site-impact foundation system of pin piles supporting a raised SIPS floor system; main building shell composed of pre-fabricated high R-Value SIPS wall panels; a roof structure composed of the same system; rainwater harvesting for garden irrigation and storm water management; roof mounted solar systems for electricity generation and hot water; low or noVOC finishes throughout; maximum use of recycled and sustainable materials.