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Design Review Program
Applicant's Handbook: Design Guidelines

Multifamily and Commercial Buildings | Downtown Development | Neighborhood-Specific Design Guidelines

Design Review Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings

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E-1 Landscaping to Reinforce Design Continuity with Adjacent Sites
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E-3 Landscape Design to Address Special Site Conditions 

Guideline E-2: Landcaping to Enhance the Building and/or Site

Landscaping, including living plant material, special pavements, trellisses, screen walls, planters, site furniture and similar features should be appropriately incorporated into the design to enhance the project.


Examples
Landscape enhancements of the site may include some of the aproaches or features listed below:

  • Soften the form of the building by screening blank walls, terracing retaining walls, etc.
  • Increase privacy and security through screening and/or sharing.
  • Provide a framework such as a trellis or arbor for plants to grow on.
  • Incorporate a planter guard or low planter wall as part of the architecture.
  • Distinctively landscape open areas created by building modulation.
  • Incorporate upper story planter boxes or roof planters.
  • Include a special feature such as a courtyard, fountain or pool.
  • Emphasize entries with special planting in conjunction with decorative paving and/or lighting.
  • Screen a building from view by its neighbors, or an existing use from the new building.

 

<previous
E-1 Landscaping to Reinforce Design Continuity with Adjacent Sites
next>
E-3 Landscaping Design to Address Special Site Conditions

 

 

Last Updated: July 15, 2005
Upcoming Project Reviews
10/14/2008
815 Pine St
2800 M L King Jr Wy S
10/15/2008
214 26th Ave E
1900 S Jackson St
201 Boren Ave N
2401 10th Ave E
See details for all upcoming reviews.


Archive

Search the archive to find design proposals and reports of project reviews.

Design Guidelines

Thirty design review guidelines for multifamily and commercial buildings--along with neighborhood-specific supplements--form the backbone of the City's Design Review Program in Seattle's neighborhoods. Separate guidelines govern downtown development.

Gallery of Great Examples

5th and Bell
See the 5th and Bell project and other great examples of projects that were developed through the Design Review process.

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