Seattle Design Festival

A significant source for inequity in our community is the zoning map. Very present in the news with recent code changes and corresponding debate, zoning is a complex subject. This exhibition illuminates the relationship between zoning and inequity and provide an opportunity to envision zoning as equitable and enhancing. 

This installation in the b9 Architects storefront in Pioneer Square poses the questions: What does zoning look like now? What would Seattle look like if the zoning map changed and building types intermixed? How would that impact community? How would such changes affect neighborhood character, demographics, property values? How could zoning actively improve equity in Seattle? 

A series of maps shows information about height, bulk, transit, race, cost, and more. In concert with the mapping studies are sculptural sections of a case study neighborhood. These sections, through color and scale, represent zoning and related size requirements. They show what an existing neighborhood looks like, and provide the opportunity to rearrange elements and explore what this neighborhood could look like. 

An open house on Tuesday, September 22 invites the community into our office to view the project and join us in this conversation.