First Place School, an organization that supports and educates children and families struggling with the effects of poverty and crisis, has partnered with Catholic Housing Services to build low-rise housing units with 16 apartments and townhomes for families of its students in need.
This service-enriched, low-income housing complex has ample usable open space for its residents including a vine-screened central pedestrian courtyard with a play area for young children, a lower-level play area for older children, and a second permeable courtyard with a small amphitheater shared by the First Place School. First Place provides family services for the residents.
Students performed the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and passed out keys to those who attended the much anticipated Grand Opening.
Meeting both Seattle Green Factor and Evergreen standards, the landscape is comprised of predominantly northwest native and adaptive plants and designed specifically not to require permanent irrigation. A series of perimeter rain gardens treats and slows the site’s stormwater before it is released to the city’s main system.
Client: First Place School and Catholic Housing Services
Location: Seattle, Washington
Architect: DKA Architects
