796sf 2-Bedroom Cottage Designed in response to: 1) Seattle Ordinance Change allowing cottages on any parcel 4000sf or larger in Seattle City limits, 2) Challenge put on by methodhomes and infiniti red.
You can build a Backyard Cottage anywhere in Seattle – legally*.
This competition board is from the sustainable cottage design challenge put on by method homes builder and infiniti red real estate may 2010
*lot size and coverage must meet certain parameters
URBAN DENSITY
It is important that we densify our city. One – of many – reasons is to accomodate the influx of new people moving here daily. Seattle is really a low density city with about 60% or more of the housing stock on single family lots. The new code allows building up to 800sf of backyard cottage on lots of 4000sf or larger. This new space can be used for living/ garage/ studio/ guest/ or any other creative purpose and can help with family finances by sharing a single building lot.
The competition board is an example of a modern design solution. It would be just as easy to design a traditional facade using the same floor plan. One of the fun aspects of an exercise such as this is that you can dream big and add as many green elements as you can imagine. When an actual project to be built is commissioned, the opportunity to select the favored sustainable solutions begins in earnest.