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The Terry Thomas
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| Photo credit: Gabe Hanson |
Land Use & Community
Weber Thompson, the primary tenant and the designer of The Terry Thomas, had been in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood for over seventeen years, and had a vested interest in maintaining and enhancing its connection to the community. This particular site was chosen for its central location with multiple convenient commuting options. A streetcar stop, located less than one block away, provides easy access to downtown Seattle and north to Lake Union. Bike storage and showers are available to employees, as is priority parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. Terry Avenue to the west is a designated “Green Street” that places priority on pedestrian circulation and open space. The neighborhood’s commitment to future certification in LEED for Neighborhood Development underscores the importance of sustainable new construction in the area.
Retail space on the ground floor and an open courtyard at the ground level further activate and enhance connections to the pedestrian environment. The corner entrance into the courtyard designates the building entry and provides a sheltered gathering and meeting space for pedestrians. The transparency of the building’s north facade softens the urban edge and provides pedestrians, streetcar riders and passing automobiles with a window into the soul of the building.
Green Strategies
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Support for Appropriate Transportation
- Design development to have pedestrian emphasis rather than automobile emphasis
- Provide showers and changing areas for bicycle and pedestrian commuters
- Provide storage area for bicycles
- Provide access to public transportation
- Provide incentives for non-automobile commuting options
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Property Selection Opportunities
- Look for opportunities for infill development
Last updated: 4/13/2009
For more information about the AIA/COTE
Top Ten Green Projects, contact AIA/COTE. For help on how to use this Web site, contact .
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