The opening of the Century 21 Exposition on April 21, 1962 transformed the image of Seattle and the American Northwest in the eyes of the world. The region, which had been known until that point more for its natural resources than as a cultural capital, established a new reputation as a center of emergent technologies and aerospace design. This new identity was embodied by the centerpiece of the exposition: the Space Needle, a slender assemblage of steel and reinforced concrete which became—and remains—Seattle’s most iconic landmark.[1]
As Seattle grows, how can housing design keep pace with the evolving ways we are living in cities? Is small housing a viable option? Can smaller spaces make for better living? This exhibit by 2015 Emerging Professionals Travel Scholarship Recipient Garrett Reynolds, explores micro-living spaces in dense urban environments in Copenhagen, New York, Stockholm, and Tokyo.
The Urban Housing Forum will examine how housing design and policy can serve as catalyst for livability and quality of place in an increasingly dense city. The full day program will include presentations on innovative projects, regulatory and development strategies and an investigation into housing’s unique and significant role in shaping individual lives, a sense of community and the overall design of a city as well as a panel on “What Will Make Seattle a Model City?”. In addition, our keynote speaker will be David Baker FAIA, LEED AP of David Baker Architects.