The architects and homebuilders who are creating the homes for sale at Rainier Vista are aiming at a high standard of neighborhood building. The homebuilders, both large and small, come from a wide variety of backgrounds, yet all share a commitment to design excellence and the kind of architecture that helps build community.

Martha Rose has been in the male-dominated construction industry since 1972. Starting out as a carpenter, she also worked as a building inspector and then as a project manager before setting off on her own as a developer and builder in 1996. Martha designs her homes to uniquely fit the neighborhood where they are located, resulting in one-of-a-kind home plans. The homes she is building for sale at Rainier Vista include special features such as passive solar atriums and living spaces above detached garages.

Martha found the Rainier Vista design guidelines set by Seattle Housing especially appealing. They required homebuilders to comply with the three-star Built Green™ standards for energy and resource efficiency. “I’ve been committed to the Built Green program since its beginnings,” said Martha. “The guidelines ensure a much healthier environment indoors and a more sustainable environment overall.” Martha’s homes at Rainier Vista will easily meet Built Green 4-Star performance standards.

Another Rainier Vista homebuilder, Robert Woodard, lived at Rainier Vista in the mid-50’s when he was five years old. Now the owner of Travelers LLC, a Seattle development firm, he is building eight townhomes at Rainier Vista, in large part because he wanted to participate in reconstructing the neighborhood. “I think it’s important to show the community that people of color can and should take part in the neighborhood’s growth.”

Robert is just one of the minority and women-owned businesses helping to transform Rainier Vista. In their role as master developer, Seattle Housing went to great lengths to encourage diverse businesses, both small and large, to participate, understanding that to do so could only serve to benefit the community as a whole.

In addition to the Built Green requirement, the design guidelines also require that homes be designed to encourage community interaction. That often means useable front porches and homes placed closer to the sidewalks, with the garages deemphasized. Homes must also offer varied styles and price ranges; and provide open public spaces for recreation, informal gatherings and events.

This commitment to building a true neighborhood is familiar territory for Rod Butler, who worked on an urban community with similar guidelines in Denver, Colorado. A principal of the architectural firm, Chaos Homes, he is designing the eight townhomes for Travelers LLC.

“Having seen the success of similar design guidelines in Denver, I truly appreciate the foundation the guidelines set for Rainier Vista,” said Rod. “They actually force builders to go above and beyond what they might typically do elsewhere.” The homes Rod is designing will offer welcoming front porches that face across a quiet street to a community park, encouraging homeowners to spend more time outdoors, catching up with friends or playing catch in the park.

“It is reminiscent of simpler times, when people knew their neighbors by name and they watched out for each other,” said Rod. “More and more, throughout Seattle and the country as a whole, people are looking to connect with their community. Rainier Vista is making that connection possible.”