HomeMy WebLinkAboutM_Urban_Design_Narrative_082125_v1August 5, 2025 | Page 1
Design Narrative
August 5, 2025
To: Renton Planning Project VIOC - Renton, WA
Project # 20241205.0
From GF
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01 Site Design and Building Location
Building Location and Orientation
• Availability of natural light: The building is sited to allow plenty of natural light, with adequate spacing
from the property lines.
• Oriented to the street with connections to sidewalk
Front entry shall be oriented to the street: The front entrance is oriented to face Whitman Ct.
Building Entries
• The primary entrance is oriented facing Whitman Ct and is made prominent by the use of transparent
storefront and canopy above.
Transition to Surrounding Development
• We are utilizing options 2 & 3, with the building mass broken down into small apparent masses by the
use of tower features. The towers are highlighted by variation in materials and planes. We also
include variation in roof line at the tower feature on all features.
Service Element Location and Design
• The building does not include any ground level service areas.
• The trash enclosure will be screened and protected from view by proximity of the building, limiting
visibility.
Gateways
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• This requirement is not applicable to the proposed project.
02 Parking and Vehicular Access
Surface Parking
• Surface parking screened with native planting and located behind main building. The proposed parking
surface will be asphalt with area drains located into it to help facilitate drainage
Structured Parking Garages
• This requirement is not applicable to the proposed project.
Vehicular Access
• Vehicular access is provided from NE 4th Street with right-in/right-out movements, and additional full-
access is available from Whitman CTNE.
03 Pedestrian Environment
Pedestrian Circulation
• There is accessible pedestrian access from NE 4th Street to the main Building.
Pedestrian Amenities
• There is an existing Public Access interpretive trail to and around the NW side of the property to
remain.
04 Recreation Area and Common Open Space
Recreation Area and Common Open Space
• There is an existing Public Access interpretive trail to and around the NW side of the property to
remain.
05 Building Architectural Design
Building Character and Massing
• The building features articulation via the tower features provided on all four elevations. All four
feature change in finish materials and height. These meet the minimum width and height requirement
for articulation.
• The building features defined entrances for both pedestrian access and vehicular service. The service
bays are highlighted by the glazed service bay doors and wayfinding signage. The pedestrian
entrance includes transparent storefront glazing and a canopy.
Ground Level Details
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• We have worked with Renton Planning to provide requested pedestrian scale elements. We include a
masonry wainscot, and feature other elements such as trellises and decorative lighting fixtures.
Building Roof Lines
• The building incorporates a tower on each façade, which includes a step in the roof line providing
articulation as requested.
Building Materials
• The building incorporates the same materials on all facades. It provides a similar level of detailing and
visual interest on all façade meeting the 360 degree architecture requirements.
• The building does include multiple materials such as brick, stucco-finish EIFS, storefront glazing and
prefinished metal trim. This provides for variation in texture and pattern as requested.
06 Signage
Signage
• The signage shown is for reference only and all signage will be permitted under a separate signage
permit.
07 Lighting
Lighting
• The building provided decorative, pedestrian scale lighting on the building. We have worked with
Renton Planning to include lighting for functional and aesthetic reasons.
End of Memorandum