Seattle has over 25 public libraries.
State
Site Analysis:
Location
Jordan Davis Seattle has one of the highest literacy rates in the United States. This is the reason why I chose to build a library on the outskirts of the city. The opportunity for a library to have success in the area is very likely. People in the area have always had the need for a public library. With that being said, Seattle has more than a few libraries. The location I chose is to benefit the population of southern Seattle that may live to far out to make a trip to Seattle. The site itself is full a shrubbery, but has no current buildings on the land itself. Located in a neighborhhod southwest of Seattle, the site offers many different opportunities to work with the library and the site harmoniously.
County and Neighborhood
Sun Study Power Line
69ft
Overgrown Forest 250ft
Civilized to Natural Space
Solid to Void
Neighborhood Context Retail
Site
Neighborhood
Nearby Uses
Overgrown Forest
The site is located on the edge of a small town just outside the south-western side of Seattle. The site itself sits on a moderately busy road and is full of trees. The site has a 181 foot drop from the south perimete down to the northeastern corner of the lot. There is a major powerline that runs along the back perimeter of the lot. A quarter mile northeast of the site is a small retail center for the small neighborhhood. Most buildings in the area are small suburban homes. The site has great potential with good drainage conditions and potential for a multi-level building and ladnscape.
Retail
118ft
Small Neighborhood
443ft 317ft
3.7 Acres
Overgrown Forest
284ft 129ft 376ft
Small Neighborhood
Size
Size and Zoning
Buildable Area
Building Type Detached house with a single dwelling unit, or with one principal unit and one accessory unit within the same structure. Zone Minimum lot area SF5000- 5000sf SF7200- 7200sf SF9600- 9600sf Various exceptions allow for smaller lots, most commonly when other existing lots on the street are also undersized. Lot Coverage Max. 35% (or maximum coverage of 1000 sf plus 15% of lot area for lots less than 5000 sf) Height Limit For lots wider than 30’: max. 30’ For lots 30’ wide or less: max. 25’ Additional height permitted on sloping lot (max. 5’) Roof Pitch May exceed max. height limit by 5’, with a min. 4:12 slope Width & Depth No restrictions on structure width and depth. They are affected by yard requirements and lot coverage. Yard Requirements As shown. Under certain conditions accessory structures, such as garages, and house additions may extend into required yards. Parking Quantity One parking space/dwelling unit. No parking is required on parcels less than 3000 sf in size or 30 feet in width. Parking Location Within the structure, or in the rear or side yard. Allowed in the front yard only under special circumstances. Garage and carport structures have specific regulations. Parking Access From the alley where feasible. If from street, only one 10’ curbcut permitted per 80’ of frontage. Open Space & Landscaping Total diameter of trees retained or planted must equal 2” per 1000 sf.
The site has a wide abundance of natural features. The site is consumed by trees on at least 80 percent of the site. The site has a 40% slope from south to northeast corner of the lot. The site has great potential for natural drainage, with a relatively steep and gradual slope. The site is close to a national park, a small town, and a manufactoring area. The area is not prone to flooding or wetlands which is a huge benefit considering that Seattle is known for its wet climate. The site is not located in any industrial or historic district. The only major concer with the site is that is has potential for sliding, in which will require a more advanced foundation.
Contours
Natural Features
Tree Coverage
Building (w/ House #’s)
Man-Made Features
Existing Roads
Airport Height Overlay- Conical Surface Detached Accessory Dwelling UnitsYes Alki Parking District- No DownTown Fire District- No Historic District- No Historic Landmark- No Northgate District- No Pike/Pine District- No Rainier/Genesee Business District- No Sand Point Park- No Sand Point District- No SE Seattle Reinvestment Area- No Stadium Area Transition District- No Est. Tree Canopy Coverage (2007)- 80.5%
Both vehicle and pedestrian use is very slim in the area. All roads contain about the same amount of traffic annually and pedestrain traffic is limited to just the people who live in the immediate area.
Vehicular
Circulation The proposed library will hopefully bring more vehicular and pedestrain traffic to the area and eventually help improve and add growth to the area,
Pedestrian
Puget Park
Power Lines Fire Hydrants
Utilities
South Seattle
Views from Site
Sensory
Views to Site
The site is very natural and has beautiful views on every side of the site. The site itself is very organic and is untamed by the industrial world. The site is perfect for a building that is just as important on the interior as it is on the exterior. The sites northeastern and southwestern corner offers the best view to downtown Seattle.
Retail
Site
Neighborhood Neighborhood is small and consists of only approximately 3,000 people in the immediate are of the site.
Human and Culture The site itself is surrounded by a small neighborhood of approximately 3,000 people . The crime rate around the area is relatively low and is perfect for a library. The library itself would reduce the crime rate around the area by ading proper lighting and security.
Crime Rate
The climate around Seattle is very wet. The site provides a steep slope and would allow for proper drainage. The Seattle area gets about 30-35in annually. The temperature is relatively cool which will cut down on the mechanical systems in the building.
State Climate
Climate Month Avg. High Avg.Low Mean Avg. Precip Record High Record Low Jan 47°F 37°F 42°F 4.81 in. 64°F (2005) 18°F (1996) Feb 50°F 37°F 44°F 3.43 in. 66°F (1992) 19°F (2006) Mar 54°F 39°F 47°F 3.51 in. 78°F (2004) 28°F (2006) Apr 59°F 43°F 51°F 2.77 in. 83°F (1987) 32°F (1991) May 64°F 48°F 56°F 2.16 in. 89°F (2005) 35°F (2002) Jun 70°F 52°F 61°F 1.63 in. 92°F (2002) 42°F (1991) Jul 76°F 56°F 66°F 0.79 in. 96°F (1994) 48°F (2002) Aug 76°F 57°F 67°F 0.97 in. 93°F (1990) 47°F (2000) Sep 71°F 53°F 62°F 1.52 in. 93°F (1988) 42°F (2000) Oct 60°F 47°F 54°F 3.41 in. 87°F (1987) 29°F (1991) Nov 51°F 41°F 46°F 5.84 in. 66°F (1997) 20°F (2006) Dec 46°F 36°F 41°F 5.43 in. 62°F (1993) 10°F (1990)
Seattle Rain Percentage