Update**

Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion! The event was engaging, insightful, and relevant for both the public and the design community. A special thanks to David Neiman for moderating and our stellar panel - Josh Bower, David Cutler, Gabriel Grant, Cary Moon, and Nick Welch.

**All images courtesy of William Wright

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Is Seattle's current zoning code preventing or encouraging positive growth in Seattle?

What actions can developers, architects, planners, politicians, taxpayers do to create positive change in Seattle's growth - urbanistically, demographically, culturally, and spatially?

Where are there areas of potential innovative ways of growth and change, pertaining to housing and zoning?

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In participation of this year's Seattle Design Festival and Design in Public’s year’s theme of “Design Change,” b9 architects is excited to host a panel discussion on the relation between housing and zoning in terms of Seattle’s current growth.

Through both a moderated conversation with our esteemed panel and the opportunity for an open dialogue about Seattle's rapidly changing urban fabric, we will delve into issues of zoning, density, value, and change. We invite you to join the conversation about how to create positive change and growth in Seattle! 

Where: b9 architects
When: Friday, Sept. 16, 6-8 PM

Our panel:

David Neiman (moderator)
Neiman Taber Architects

Josh Brower
Veris Law Group

David Cutler
Principal, Office for the City

Gabriel Grant
Principal, Spectrum Development Solutions 

Cary Moon
Urban Planner/Activist

Nick Welch
Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development

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Last week, Brad and Angela checked on the progress of our project, Central Residence, with our client and contractor, Fradkin Fine Construction. This single family home in particular is a project that we at b9 are especially excited about since it was first conceptualized in 2008. We finally began construction in July 2015 this year and expect it to be completed by early September 2016.

The 2,600 sf custom home is designed for a family that wanted a variety of spaces that would allow for more open and communal living with semi-private spaces for guests to relax and be able to access easily. The result is a singular L-shaped structure bisected with a breezeway that connects the front yard and entryway to a large deck and more private rear yard. At the interior an open double and triple-height space fills the home with daylight and provides fluid connections between the spaces.

We're very excited with the progress and encourage you to check in for more updates in a month as construction comes to an end.

Street facade showing our major moves of the entry pathway and sloped roof to emphasis the interior vertical space

Covered breezeway

Kitchen and living space

Our vertical open space viewed from different levels

Guest room at ground level showing built-in storage with access to the vertical open space shown above

Master bedoom with mezzanine

View to the northeast from master bedroom

Back facade with access to basement

Back patio

B9 is excited to have Arnulfo Ramirez Torres as our showcasing artist for this month ! We will have an opening show this Thursday as a part of Pioneer Square's First Thursday Art Walk as well as coinciding with Seattle's 2nd annual Art Fair.

Called "The Public Realm," Ramirez Torres' work aims to examine the relationship between Seattle's green public space and the rest of the city. Be sure to stop by our office this Thursday, August 4th from 5:30-8:30pm for some great art, free food and drinks, and good company !

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Thanks to everyone who came out for the artwalk ! It was great fun. Arnulfo's work will be showcased at b9 architects until mid-September.

B9 architects and Cascade Built, along with a community of neighbors, friends and family, gathered to celebrate the completion of the SolHaus townhomes on Capitol Hill, codeveloped by b9 and Cascade Built. The party took advantage of the generous central courtyard and demonstrated the versatility of the project. Residents opened their doors and welcomed neighbors in to their units, each of which had been designed with unique characteristics.

One feature that is shared by a majority of units, however, is a large insulated glass roll up garage door that fronts the central courtyard as a gesture towards community. One owner, who had only just begun to move in, was generous enough to allow the gathering to spill in to their unit, stepping among their boxed belongings and dodging the children that darted through the houses. The evening was terrific way to celebrate another great project!

While we've been a bit quiet here on the blogosphere, our team has been incredibly active in and out of the office!

This past May was Bike Everywhere Month - "a month-long celebration of pedal powered movement" - hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club, whose mission is to improve human lives and the environment through bicycling. 

As part of Bike Everywhere Month, our formidable b9 team, consisting of Brad, Brian, Manuel, Tom, Josh, and Lisa, participated in the Washington Bikes Bike Everywhere Challenge. We are proud to share that we recorded 836 miles, reduced our carbon footprint by 736 lbs, and ranked 299 out of 1739 teams!

As community-builders, we constantly strive to improve our environment with an awareness of the impact we make in both the field of design and construction and our personal lives, and bicycling (and public transportation for the rest of our team..!) is just one of the multiple ways we address that impact. The Washington Bikes Bike Everywhere Challenge was a wonderful way to engage with our community with a greater vision, and we can't wait to participate in the next challenge!