The Seattle Housing Authority is the agency behind the proposed expansion of the Lam Bow Apartments at 6955 Delridge Way SW. The apartment complex suffered a devastating fire in September of 2016. 35 people lost their homes in the blaze and the proposed new expansion will look to expand and improve on the existing buildings.The project is currently under Administrative Design Review. It is being designed by SMR Architects.

From the proposal

PROJECT VISION

The Lam Bow Apartments project is a unique opportunity to improve a large parcel currently owned by the Seattle Housing Authority and increase the number of affordable homes within the Delridge neighborhood of Seattle.

Many massing and parking configurations were studied before the preferred scheme was realized. The project aims to create a sense of community and meaningful opportunities for social engagement and interaction among residents through thoughtful design.

Children are a unifying force for social interaction and the design focused on placing their play opportunities at the heart of the project to foster this interaction and provide a safe environment for play.

By placing the building on the north lot and the parking on the south lot, a large central open space can be created. The double horseshoe configuration between building and hardscape will provide protection for, and activation of, the large open space which acts as the heart of the project.

The new Lambow Apartments will contribute to the neighborhood context by providing activation along both Delridge Way SW and 23rd Ave SW, at an appropriate scale and use. High quality materials will be selected for longevity and environmental sustainability. Ample fenestration will provide natural light and ventilation for residents, and eyes on the public realm

SHA DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

DESIGN PROPOSAL

RESIDENTIAL UNITS: +/- 79 units

PARKING STALLS: +/- 79 surface parking spaces

SITE AREA: 72,823 SF (1.67 acres)

LAM BOW REDEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

• Replace the 21 units lost in the October 2016 fire and increase the total number of units on the site.

• Create a mixed-income community with units serving residents at or below 30% of Area Median

Income (AMI) and 60% of AMI.

• Increase the supply of affordable homes, especially larger apartments (2BD+) for families with children. Our target unit count and mix is:

1-Bedroom Units: 22

2-Bedroom Units: 42

3-Bedroom Units: 15

Total Units: 79

• Create safe, family oriented outdoor amenities to serve the building’s residents.

• Design common room and office suite to act as an anchor between the interior and exterior common spaces buildings while providing visual connection to outdoor amenities, parking lot, elevator, and entry.

• Provide surface parking to support large households including working families and visitors. Due to the site’s liquefiable soils, the cost of underground parking is extremely high in proportion to the construction cost, thereby limiting the quantity of affordable housing that can be achieved on site with the same budget. The parking configuration has been carefully studied and designed to respect the neighbors and create high-quality open spaces on site.

• Design a site plan and building massing that fits within the adjacent zoning and respects our

Early Design Guidance packet can be downloaded here.