Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC)

Seattle, Washington

The design concept for the project includes providing a beacon of services to the community while preserving the existing feel of the Delridge neighborhood and its natural surroundings. This was achieved by providing 90 feet of retail storefront for small local businesses, setting back the residential and services entry from the main street, and providing a large garden courtyard along the street front. The garden courtyard is designed around the preservation of an existing Deodar Cedar tree and includes a rain garden and permeable pavers to control water runoff and enhance landscape permeability. Extra-large windows in the residential units and community spaces wrap the central courtyard and provide residents with natural daylight and tranquil views of the garden. The total construction cost was $8.46 million, and the total square footage of the building was 47,601 sq. ft., which includes 2,400 sq. ft. of retail space and parking for 17 vehicles.

Courtyard garden amenity for residents