A small building can have a big impact: this design has a commercial suite, a live work unit, two subsidized one bedroom apartments and two 2 bedroom apartments (with bonus lofts).

seattle architect has more missing middle housing on the boards

The housing crisis in California is so difficult in part because jurisdictions have opposed or slowly walked new housing through a mix of bad zoning and bureaucratic barriers. In response, the state has invoked a provision called the ‘builder’s remedy’ where towns and cities that have failed to show how they can meet their housing targets lose their ability to enforce their own zoning rules, provided that projects include some percentage of affordable housing.

The design is pushed to the street, preserving more backyard for residents and mature trees. The commercial space can be thought of as a cafe, retail or daycare.

As part of this zoning holiday we’ve designed this speculative small infill project. It has a commercial suite, a live work unit, two affordable one bedroom apartments and two 2 bedroom apartments with lofts.

Diagram of five unit apartment building.

This project is geared for using the Passive House green building standard to achieve very low operating expenses, and high indoor air quality. It is packed with amenities such as large porches and bike storage. If you are a developer interested in infill development or a property owner looking to make the most of this window of opportunity, please contact us at Matt@CASTarchitecture.com.

This redlining map codified racial segregation and economic discrimination into our zoning code, shaping Seattle neighborhoods for nearly a century. Breaking the pattern of equity is the core work of the Seattle Planning Commission.

Cast’s MATT HUTCHINS TO JOIN THE SEATTLE PLANNING COMMISSION

On a personal note, I’ve been selected to join the Seattle Planning Commission. The Planning Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City departments on broad planning goals, policies, and plans for the physical development of the City. I’m going to do my best to focus our big picture planning efforts on fighting climate change, creating affordable housing, equitable development, and pushing for complete, walkable, vibrant neighborhoods throughout Seattle. I’m pretty excited!

Cedar Cottage

The Cedar Cottage has been selected as one of ten cottage designs highlighted by the City of Seattle’s Pre-Approved DADU Design program. Our design, based on a custom cottage in progress, has been tailored to be economical, flexible, and accessible. It will be 4 star BuiltGreen certified, and work an most Seattle sites. We’ll have a one and two bedroom version.

The city’s website will come out soon, but you can find more information on our special stand alone site www.CASTcottages.com and find out how you can get great design at a reasonable cost.

Cedar Cottage, originally designed for the Phelan family

Recently, Seattle put out a call for lower-cost designs to be ‘pre-approved’ for building permits. One of the biggest challenges for backyard cottages is the uncertainty and permitting difficulty for many people who may never have taken on a big project like this before. CAST answered the call, putting together four designs ranging in size and features, derived from our long experience with the backyard cottage market. Here is a preview of the four models, each has its own special hook—sloped lots, accessibility, expandability, or super small size:

Cloud Cottage, 481 sf footprint, multiple configurations from studio, or 2 story version with studio over garage, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom.

Kestrel Cottage—one or optional two bedroom (not shown here), all on one level for accessibility and aging in place.

Crow’s Nest, original design for Matt and Amy Stevenson, adapted for Seattle’s Pre-Approved Cottage program

Over the next month, regardless of what this City does, CAST will be developing some or all of these designs and making them available for purchase with an agreement to use CAST for the site specific engineering, permitting and zoning work. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Matt@CASTarchitecture.com.

This year Matt has been honored by Seattle Magazine as one the city’s 35 Most Influential People for his work around abundant housing options:

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Urban Density
Matt Hutchins
In Seattle’s ongoing civic war over density versus “traditional neighborhood character,” backyard cottages and mother-in-law apartments (accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in city parlance) might seem like an unlikely battleground. The small, secondary units can provide extra income for homeowners or an extra living space for family members or guests. But some opposed legislation making it easier for homeowners to build these units, arguing that the bill would allow developers to blanket Seattle’s single-family neighborhoods with luxury apartments. Matt Hutchins used his expertise as an architect who actually builds backyard cottages to make the case that housing diversity does not mean development run wild. A member of More Options for Accessory Residences (MOAR), Hutchins was a constant presence during the ADU debate, arguing forcefully and effectively that Seattle’s neighborhoods should be places for everyone, including people who don’t make six-figure incomes.

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Movers & Shakers: Seattle's Most Influential People of the Year 2019

Meet this year’s class of our Most Influential People: 35 Seattleites who are altering the fabric of our city.

Seattle Magazine, November 2019

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I will be out and about talking about the opportunities to make our cities more vibrant, equitable and affordable by ‘Greenzoning’ ie, putting more people’s homes near the jobs, parks, schools, in neighborhoods that already exist.

-Matt

1.City of Kenmore ‘Missing Middle’ Housing panel October 15th:

http://www.kenmorewa.gov/content/panel-discussion-housing

2. Residential Small Lot Zoning in West Seattle, October 16th, Sign up here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/residential-small-lot-zoning-and-what-it-means-for-west-seattle-neighborhoods-tickets-66933111739

3. ADU Fair! Come learn from architects, builders, planners, bankers, realtors about cottages, October 19th

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adu-fair-resources-for-creating-accessory-dwelling-units-tickets-74488738823?aff=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&utm_medium=email&ref=eemailordconf&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent

4. I’m moderating a City Council Candidate Forum on Housing and Homelessness, October 21st:

https://aiaseattle.org/event/seattle-city-council-candidates-forum-on-housing-homelessness/

5/6. I’m presenting ‘How Greenzoning can fight Climate Change’ at the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild’s Slam AND again at the Summit, October 25 and 26th

https://www.northwestgreen.org/

7. I’ll be in Fremont at Infiniti Real Estate on Sunday, October 27th from 3:00 - 5:00pm, to answer questions about RSL. (Infiniti also has a nice window display featuring CAST’s D/ADUs and Backyard Cottages for “What’s Up with Upzones?”)

http://www.infinitired.com/zoning/whats-upzones-class-new-zoning-changes-mean-property/

8. Roundtable at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Executive Speaker Series: Architecture and Design in a Growing City

https://www.seattlechamber.com/home/events/events-detail/2019/10/30/default-calendar/executive-speaker-series-october-2019

Matt’s session at Built Green 2019 will walk through the zoning regulations for “Residential Small Lot,” demonstrate its benefits, and provide examples of what can be built. Additionally, this session will address how Mandatory Housing Affordability applies to those zoning regulations and ultimately how our neighborhoods will evolve.

Built Green 2019

Matt will be at the Center for Architecture & Design from 9:00am - 12pm delivering an information-packed overview of the design and construction process including budget and schedule, tips for hiring the right team, and how you and your designer can work together to make the most of any project.

AIA | Ask An Architect Registration

Events, Residential Small Lot

In Seattle thousands of residential lots are now ‘Residential Small Lot’ (RSL) as part of the MHA zoning reform. The rules covering RSL have been rewritten, bringing questions about how RSL will affect Seattle neighborhoods.

First, what is RSL and what kinds of new development are we likely to see?

Second, how does RSL address displacement, affordability, density or sustainability?

If you live in one of the affected urban villages or are interested in innovative infill housing RSVP below to join Matt Hutchins, AIA for monthly informational talks in a neighborhood near you. All engagements are from 5:00 - 6:30pm.

September 25, 2019 Columbia City Library

October 16, 2019 West Seattle Library

November 12, 2019 Douglass-Truth Library (Central District)

December 11, 2019 CAST architecture (Fremont)

Download CAST's RSL Zoning Guide

Now that the new legislation is in place, it is time to upload an updated Quickstart Guide for 2019. Keep in mind that we couldn’t get too deep into the weeds here, so if you have questions, please contact us and we can walk you through the changes in more detail.

Link to PDF