The Line

As architects of the first mixed-use apartment project to be built within Shoreline’s newly upzoned Link Light Rail district, we knew The Line would set the tone for future development. We began by researching the materials and street presence of upcoming nearby projects, to ensure coherence within the emerging neighborhood. As Transit Oriented Development (TOD), The Line required small blocks and plenty of pedestrian access. So we designed a woonerf to run through the project, to provide greater neighborhood access. For further pedestrian scale we set the building back on the street fronts, articulated the base of the building, and created a residential courtyard off the woonerf. Road upgrades happening concurrently with construction strained much of this work—particularly grading, height calculations, and access—but our deep TOD experience helped us meet the challenges. Design wise, to reinforce the “line” theme we crafted LED-lit linear motifs to thread up the building at the corners against a warm wood-like background, with bays and facades between for contrast. The result is a striking gateway building visible from a distance, with amenities including a lounge and meeting rooms; game, podcast, and media rooms; a fitness room; two levels of underground parking; and LEED-Platinum certification.