[Greenbuilding] Seattle housing stock

[JOHN SALMEN]

If it is a longer term thing you might want to look at one of the cohousing
projects in seattle (quite a few) - where green construction and energy are
priorities (often compromised by budgets). 

 

Seattle like many cities went through condo development (80's onwards) then
subsequently moved into 'townhouse' development up to the present. These are
known as the seattle 6 pack. Kind of a bastard of density demand, greed and
a poor planning response. 

 

These are characterized by poor design and bad construction - a fast
response to demand at the time. For that reason alone that leaky older
square 40's bungalow has a lot of integrity and charm - similar to Vancouver
- probably the best generation of housing that has occurred. Generally well
designed on a square footprint and pretty easy to upgrade for insulation.
The eastern row house was more conserving of land and achieved better
density but the long footprint was not as appealing as these little square
things. 

 

JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

4465 UPHILL RD,. DUNCAN, B.C.  CANADA, V9L 6M7

PH 250 748 7672 FAX 250 748 7612 CELL 250 246 8541

terrain at shaw.ca

 

  _____  

From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Sacie
Lambertson
Sent: December 10, 2010 6:34 PM
To: Greenbuilding
Subject: [Greenbuilding] Seattle housing stock

 

I'm in Seattle at the moment looking at housing stock.  I am amazed to see
little or no insulation in the small older craftsman style houses built in
the first quarter of the last century.  This only where I can actually check
it out, like areas that open to space beneath the roof.  Here I see no
insulation at all.  Again, is roof insulation in this part of the country
non-existent?  Energy efficient building non-existent?

I'm in the very strange position of needing to invest a fair amount of money
in a property.  Expensive here, I am looking in the $500,000 price range
which doesn't get one much in this city.  Working with a Realtor I like, I
nonetheless would be happy to have advice.  Am checking out any sort of
housing within about 5-6 miles of downtown Seattle.  I have strict time
constraints.

Anyone on this list living in Seattle?  I know the housing bubble created a
frenzy of building in the last decade, probably bad construction.  Are there
known good builders?  Who are they?  Am interested in viewing anything built
over the last 100 years.  Prefer no condos.

Would appreciate responses.  Sacie



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