Spatial Justice and Environmental Sustainability Distinguish AIA Seattle’s 2020 Award Winners

The 70th annual Honor Awards showcase Seattle's flourishing architectural design community. I'll always hold a soft spot in my heart for the old Burke Museum...

Aufstockung: Innovative Density

Aufstockung is a German term for a vertical addition. That is, an increase in height by the addition of one or more floors to...

Sunday Video: What Is This “Line” Thing Anyway?

With drone footage showing construction beginning on Saudi Arabia's half-trillion dollar megaproject called The Line, it's useful to ask what's going on in the...

How Ballard Avenue Got Its Unique Pergolas

The Urbanist spoke with business owners and leaders who have spent the last year trying to keep restaurants, shops, and the farmers market working...
Downtown Seattle Development

Improvements to Seattle’s Design Review Program

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is engaging with stakeholders and residents to develop improvements for the City's Design Review Program. In 1994,...

State Model Code for Middle Housing is Missing Enough Housing

Commerce recently had a consultant create a form-based code, but the draft fails to advance housing abundance. Now that Washington State’s Middle Housing bill (HB1110)...
A four story building includes simple small balconies and a yellow and gray exterior.

Harrell Considering Easing Micro Housing Restrictions

Despite skyrocketing housing prices across Washington State, the state legislature has failed to pass any bills easing statewide housing restrictions and promoting missing middle...

Midweek Video: How Chicago Built an Amazing Lake Shore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go5cfISkD3U The story of how Chicago got its famed waterfront lakeshore parks is a true saga with a series of battles and efforts. Wealthy elites,...