The Winston Townhomes

Completed during tenure at Johnston Architects.  Photos copyright of Rafael Soldi.

Overview

The Winston Townhomes is a 38,000-square-foot development located in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood, completed in 2022 under Johnston Architects. The project offers 16 units arranged in four three-story buildings around a shared landscaped courtyard, with private parking tucked below ground. It earned recognition as the 2022 Seattle DJC Project of the Week, with photography by Rafael Soldi.

Project Goals
  • Respect the neighborhood’s mix of single-family homes, historic public buildings, and small-scale retail
  • Incorporate high-quality, eco-friendly materials that reflect the Pacific Northwest style
  • Provide a communal green space at street level instead of a typical central driveway
  • Reduce the visual impact of vehicles by placing parking below ground
  • Offer contemporary townhomes that balance private patios and thoughtful interfaces with the streetscape
Design and Implementation
  • Layout/Structural Changes

The four-building arrangement is focused on a shared north-south courtyard that enhances daylight, solar warmth, and a sense of connection among residents. Each townhome has private outdoor areas that face the courtyard, as well as additional exterior amenities accessed directly from the interior. Raised front stoops along Ravenna Avenue, perforated brick walls, and a strategic mix of cedar and brick create a pedestrian-friendly presence. A vertical fiber cement board with reverse board and batten detailing adds variety in texture and scale.

  • Materials and Finishes

Brick references the red-brick school across the street, but it is presented in a modern way through sawtooth patterns and steel accents that create shade, light play, and depth. Western red cedar warms the facades and aligns with local traditions, while the fiber cement siding introduces a contemporary note. Solar studies informed the design of shading devices and overhead screens, providing a balance of filtered light and reduced heat gain.

  • Key Elements
    • Below-grade parking to preserve a central green courtyard
    • Raised entry stoops and textured facades for an inviting street-level experience
    • Outdoor gathering spaces and rooftop decks to support neighborly interaction
    • Careful massing and parapet variation to break down building scale
Challenges
Coordinating underground parking, open green space, and multiple building volumes required careful planning. The desire to integrate a modern look that also resonated with a historic neighborhood prompted detailed material studies and thoughtful proportions. Collaboration with the developer StoryBuilt ensured that the design vision was upheld, with attention paid to budget requirements and long-term durability.
Outcome
The Winston Townhomes serves as a distinctive example of a new multi-unit community woven into an established setting. It respects the neighborhood’s heritage by using brick and cedar, while also embracing a contemporary character. The below-grade parking keeps the common courtyard open and inviting, contributing to a healthier pedestrian environment. By prioritizing quality materials, daylight, and human-scale design, it successfully enriches both the resident experience and the neighborhood fabric.
Location
  • Seattle, WA
SIZE
  • 70,000 SF
COMPLETED
  • 2019
CLIENT & DEVELOPER
  • Story Built
ROLE
  • Project Architect & Designer
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