Design Guidelines & Principles of Urban Design

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Seattle Office of Planning & U DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN GUIDELINES UPDATE Community Development Design Guidelines & Principles of Urban Design

What are neighborhood How are the U District Urban Deisgn Considerations design guidelines? Design Guidelines used? The Design Guidelines encourage careful and thoughtful design that promotes quality urban design outcomes by discussing desirable architectural treatments and design outcomes. The following are key Design Guidelines deﬁ ne the qualities of The updated University District Design urban design principles to consider. architecture, site design, and open space that Guidelines will identify speciﬁ c qualities of make successful projects, and are a tool for building and site design that reinforce unique guiding individual projects towards successful design characteristics of the University District. Respond to Physical Context & Site Features design outcomes. The goal of the design Design Review Boards will use the guidelines The site design and placement of building(s) should repond to con- guidelines is to foster design excellence in private to provide design guidance on the design of text and contribute positively to the natural and built environment. development of new multifamily and commercial proposed development. projects throughout the city.

The Seattle Citywide Design Guidelines apply to all The example below projects required to undergo design review in all shows how a areas of the city. Applicants with projects located neighborhood speciﬁ c in the University District are required to consult design guideline can both neighborhood and citywide guidelines in the shape project design. The pedestrian-scaled street wall of 1-3 stories is A contemporary massing emphasizes positive design Integrate sustainable sys- development and review of the project design. Strengthen desirable form, public spaces, and development patterns. Consider reinforced by setting the upper massing back articu- elements in the context by by using a complimentary tems in the site design, such solar alignment for open spaces, and respond to established streetwalls. lating the base at a human-scale. color of brick and similar proportions. as this green roof and storm- water retention feature.

CITYWIDE DESIGN NEIGHBORHOOD EARLY DESIGN 1 GUIDELINES 2 DESIGN GUIDELINES 3 GUIDANCE MEETING Reinforce the Public Realm and Public Life An applicant with a Good design addresses the issue of how buildings interface with the adjacent sidewalk, street, The applicant then sees The applicant designs the massing and public realm with pedestrian connections, transparency, open spaces, and amenities. project site at 50th and that the University of the building to respond to the University Way reads District Neighborhood guidelines by indicating a special the Citywide Design Design Guidelines, design treatment at the corner. Guidelines, and sees a designate the site as a The Design Review Board supports guideline about corner “gateway”: the design approach at the Early sites: Design Guidance Meeting. CS2.C - Corner Lots For buildings located CS2.C - Corner Sites on corner lots identiﬁ ed Corner sites can serve as gateways or as gateways, consider focal points. Consider using a corner to providing special building Map of Gateway provide space for pedestrians, or build elements distinguishable Corners in the U out to the corner to provide a strong District Design from the rest of the Guidelines urban edge. building.

Transition space between the sidewalk and building should respond to Strategic setbacks can support active street frontages Prioritize pedestrian, bike, and Private patios with vertical separation from the side- the diff ering needs for access and privacy for residential and commercial and vibrant pedestrian environments. transit access, amenities, and walk and lush landscaping provide usable spaces for frontages. facilitie. Integrate easy access to tenants while contributing to a pedestrian-oriented bike storage environment with visual interest. RECOMMENDATION DESIGN PROGRESSION DESIGN APPROVAL 4 5 MEETING 6 High Quality Building Concept, Design, Materials, and Construction The applicant uses the Board’s The applicant revises the design and The applicant revises the design guidance and continues developing presents it to the Design Review per the Board’s condition by Facades should therefore be designed to have a pleasing scale and appearance, proportion and rhythm, a more detailed design. The design Board. The Board recommends that enhancing the corner element. City solid-to-void relationship, and materiality. is submitted to City staff , who the depth of the protruding frame at staff approves the design after the recommend the corner element be the corner is increased to emphasize changes have been made. revised to better meet the Board’s a “strong, dramatic presence at a guidance and the Design Guidelines. prominent corner.”

The massing is broken into a distinct base and top, expressed through The tower is articulated with signifi - The scale and texture of the materials and rhythm The mass at the corner is diff erentiated by lifting the through diff erentiating materials and scale of articulation. The base cant shifts in the massing. Balconies created by entries and storefronts creates a human base and applying a related but unique expression at the features vertical elements, while the top features horizontal elements. provide visual interest and indicate scale. corner. a residential use. Seattle Office of Planning & U DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN GUIDELINES UPDATE Community Development What should design in the University District look like?

Take a look at these images and let us know why you 1 2 3 like or disklike the design of the buildings. What design characteristics would you like to see or not like to see in the University District?

Refer to the Urban Design Considerations on the previous board for some ideas on what to look for.

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