This aerial view of the Gables Queen Anne project (looking northwest) reveals how green the neighborhood has become in the last century – and at the same time introduces some of the ways in which the project itself has included green elements in the design. These occur in three areas: the surround at street level, the many terraces and balconies, and, in a subtle way, in the central courtyard. There is also a sense that the building, when seen from a variety of directions (here from 2nd Avenue West), also benefits from the neighborhood.
A walk around the base of the project shows a use of sturdy plant materials being installed.
Here, along 1st Avenue North, looking south, sturdy shrubs, grasses and trees set the tone.
The rhythm of the plant materials reflects that of the porches that front the townhouse apartments, complementing the sturdy punched openings, canopies, and metal railings that lead to the units.
Grace notes have been included, in the form of flowering plants and clumps of grass.
Much the same treatment continues on to Crockett Street, though without the entrances.
The width of space dedicated to plant materials makes the walk along Crocket gracious and more in character with the nearby residential front yards.
Returning to 1st Avenue north, plant materials help to complete a composition around a seating area, and significantly, at the base of a stair that leads to the main residential plaza.
At the top of the stairs the walkway leads under the skybridges that connect two major wings of the building.
From this point, a covered walkway, framed by raised planters connects to the center of the project.
At that point the walk turns 90 degrees and reveals the center courtyard and the vista through the project along a north-south line that used to be an alley. It also shows one of the significant treatments for the landscaping. The whole area sits on the major concrete platform that, in effect, forms the roof for the Safeway store below; so raised steel planters were introduced to be able to contain enough soil for the trees and shrubs. This approach also provides definition and some privacy for the apartment patios that line the space.
The center of the complex forms a large open plaza.
The raised planters line the edge; but the center includes an artificial grass treatment that can handle casual use that would be detrimental to grass lawn. The walkway continues all the way to Crockett street. Turning around, we got the view to the north.
The large structure on the right-hand side, when fully fitted out, will provide a grilling area for outdoor dining.
Back at the beginning, this looks towards 1st Avenue, where the open skybridges let in lots of light and views of the neighborhood to the east.
From there we took an elevator up to roof level for an overview of the whole court.
It’s a sizable, car-free, green, outdoor space – not what you would expect to find. And then, there are a few other surprises on the upper level as well. This is another view through the skybridges with a glimpse of the neighborhood and Cascades beyond.
Another composite view, this time looking south, shows a large gathering space with a picnic and cook-out space off to the left.
At a more intimate scale, the units at this level also include balconies with planters and outdoor grilles –
And, did I mention the view – here to the northwest, Puget Sound, the Olympics, and green.
One final comment about green, as illustrated by another Gables aerial photo –
The green, landscaped spaces occur at all the levels, and in addition, the very top roof levels also contain heat pumps that serve each of the units in the building. It’s a different kind of green contribution perhaps, but it’s one that will help us keep Puget Sound green too.
Travel Design Impressions 