Comments on: Raising the Bar #3: Well Executed Townhomes http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/ A discussion of modern design from the Northwest Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:52:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: mike http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1141 mike Fri, 29 May 2009 18:28:05 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1141 it's sometimes listed on the DPD website if you look at permits (search by address) it’s sometimes listed on the DPD website if you look at permits (search by address)

]]> By: oberon http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1136 oberon Thu, 28 May 2009 04:04:31 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1136 I'm afraid I don't know the architect. It would be great if King County parcel data listed the architect and builder for each house. I've seen a few houses whose designer I would love to identify, but couldn't. I’m afraid I don’t know the architect. It would be great if King County parcel data listed the architect and builder for each house. I’ve seen a few houses whose designer I would love to identify, but couldn’t.

]]> By: Build LLC http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1124 Build LLC Tue, 26 May 2009 15:28:22 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1124 Oberon - nice find, that's a very good example of cost-effective modern townhouse design. Unfortunately there was no mention of the architect, any idea who designed it? Oberon – nice find, that’s a very good example of cost-effective modern townhouse design. Unfortunately there was no mention of the architect, any idea who designed it?

]]> By: oberon http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1115 oberon Fri, 22 May 2009 04:30:51 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1115 I'm all for beautifully boring boxes. Here's a reasonable example in Wallingford: http://afterglowhomes.com. Seems exactly what you mean; it's even a 4-pack. I’m all for beautifully boring boxes. Here’s a reasonable example in Wallingford: http://afterglowhomes.com. Seems exactly what you mean; it’s even a 4-pack.

]]> By: Build LLC http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1104 Build LLC Thu, 14 May 2009 16:24:34 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1104 Joshua - We've found that to do good, durable work our fannies have to be entirely on the line. We have to be fully involved in the project from beginning to end to really have an impact on the design, the process and the final product. That's not to say that it couldn't work otherwise - it's just the method that works for us. We're honored that you thought of us for this and we admire that you're up to some solutions for the built environment. For the time being we’re going to continue focusing the pro-bono program on individuals and groups in immediate need. The issue with the 4-packs is that they are already the cheapest solution to built-form in urban areas. So cheap, that we commonly refer to them as disposable housing. The only fat to trim off is the developers margin – which in our current economic climate is little or nothing. In order to do something cheaper but more durable something has to be given up. Our first inclination is to reduce the square footage. Design-wise our gut instinct is to shave off all the funny little appendages that seem to accompany the 4-pack designs; the multiple little gable roofs, the fake knee braces at the eaves, the pop out bays. We would take the tact of creating beautifully boring boxes. This would keep the detailing simple and would keep the materials palette to a minimum. Just our two cents… Joshua – We’ve found that to do good, durable work our fannies have to be entirely on the line. We have to be fully involved in the project from beginning to end to really have an impact on the design, the process and the final product. That’s not to say that it couldn’t work otherwise – it’s just the method that works for us. We’re honored that you thought of us for this and we admire that you’re up to some solutions for the built environment. For the time being we’re going to continue focusing the pro-bono program on individuals and groups in immediate need.

The issue with the 4-packs is that they are already the cheapest solution to built-form in urban areas. So cheap, that we commonly refer to them as disposable housing. The only fat to trim off is the developers margin – which in our current economic climate is little or nothing. In order to do something cheaper but more durable something has to be given up. Our first inclination is to reduce the square footage. Design-wise our gut instinct is to shave off all the funny little appendages that seem to accompany the 4-pack designs; the multiple little gable roofs, the fake knee braces at the eaves, the pop out bays. We would take the tact of creating beautifully boring boxes. This would keep the detailing simple and would keep the materials palette to a minimum. Just our two cents…

]]> By: Joshua Daniel Franklin http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1100 Joshua Daniel Franklin Wed, 13 May 2009 20:51:20 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1100 Build LLC, would you be willing to expand your pro bono concept to working with a neighborhood group (Roosevelt being the obvious choice) to do concept designs attractive affordable townhomes or lowrise? Do you think it's feasible to have something less expensive than a 4-pack that would last 50 years? Thanks! Build LLC, would you be willing to expand your pro bono concept to working with a neighborhood group (Roosevelt being the obvious choice) to do concept designs attractive affordable townhomes or lowrise? Do you think it’s feasible to have something less expensive than a 4-pack that would last 50 years? Thanks!

]]> By: Build LLC http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 Build LLC Wed, 13 May 2009 15:32:44 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1098 Mike - wow, nearly 4,000 of Vaubanin's 5,000 inhabitants do not own cars, impressive. Good article. Mike – wow, nearly 4,000 of Vaubanin’s 5,000 inhabitants do not own cars, impressive. Good article.

]]> By: mike http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1097 mike Wed, 13 May 2009 06:39:00 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1097 vaubanin the nyt! http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/earth/12suburb.html vaubanin the nyt!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/12/science/earth/12suburb.html

]]> By: Build LLC http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1092 Build LLC Thu, 07 May 2009 15:50:07 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1092 Oberon - True, given the direction that the discussion has taken we'll be bringing in some additional examples into the fold. Oberon – True, given the direction that the discussion has taken we’ll be bringing in some additional examples into the fold.

]]> By: oberon http://blog.buildllc.com/2009/04/raising-the-bar-well-executed-town-homes-in-seattle/comment-page-1/#comment-1090 oberon Thu, 07 May 2009 04:45:01 +0000 http://blog.buildllc.com/?p=3629#comment-1090 Sorry, I transposed two numbers; I should have said that the resale was $895k. Sorry, I transposed two numbers; I should have said that the resale was $895k.

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