Crofton Springs Taking Shape at Issaquah Highlands
Issaquah, Washington — October 28, 2003 — With construction underway since September of 2002, Crofton Springs is coming into focus as 32 homes are being prepared for upcoming move-in dates. Planned and designed by full-service architecture firm Weber + Thompson, and developed by The Dwelling Company, Crofton Springs is a master planned community with 121 single and multi-family homes. Construction began on Crofton Springs last fall with a plan to allow the development to unfold gradually as the houses are completed. The entire Crofton Springs community is scheduled for completion in summer of 2004.
Crofton Springs is part of Issaquah Highlands, a 2,200-acre community located on the Sammamish Plateau near the recently completed I-90 Sunset Interchange in Issaquah. The development plans include 1,500 acres of park and open space, a retail center and a proposed 152-acre Microsoft campus. Many portions of Issaquah Highlands are not yet completed, but over 3,000 housing units are expected to comprise the entire development. Crofton Springs is 6.3 acres, located in Issaquah Highlands' Ashbury Park neighborhood.
One of the main things that sets Crofton Springs apart from other suburban developments is the focus on creating a community that reflects diversity in lifestyle and building type as well as fostering social interaction between homeowners. Weber + Thompson has designed a community that prioritizes social connection through pedestrian activity – walking! – over the car and more typical primacy of the garage found in contemporary developments. This has resulted in an efficient use of land where the real density is not apparent, where cottages sit in a landscape and are oriented towards pathways and shared greens rather than streets.
The housing options in Crofton Springs are eclectic and diverse. "Once inside any of the homes, you'll see an open flexible floor plan designed to make the most of the smaller square footage and live much larger than the numbers would suggest," states Kristen M. Scott, AIA, Principal at Weber + Thompson. "Natural light and vaulted spaces have a lot to do with this. Most rooms have light from two directions resulting in a space that feels good to spend time in. Flex-spaces allow a homeowner to use the rooms in different ways depending on their needs. And finally, a strong connection between indoors and outdoors not only through views but through generous porches that are big enough to sit on and even have room for a table."
"The challenge with Crofton Springs was to design for a wide variety of buyers, while creating a cohesive community," states Scott. "To that end, we incorporated a fairly traditional style of architecture and a warm palette of materials throughout the development, with details of the buildings, such as plenty of dormers and deep overhangs, contributing to a strong sense of cohesive community."
The different housing options within Crofton Springs were designed to accommodate different social and economic needs. They include Garden Cottages (1,635sf - 1,780sf), Hillside Cottages (1,505 - 1,673sf), Row Houses (1,423sf - 1,850sf), Town Houses (1,223sf - 1,347sf), Carriage Houses (1,504sf), Garden Flats (774sf) and SubUrban Lofts (1,812sf - 1,850sf). Prices range from affordable housing to at-market rates, from the $170s to the $300s. All the homes are Built Green™ – a certification given by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties for homes that meet a specific checklist of sustainable building practices.
Project Team
Master Planning and Architecture, Weber + Thompson; Developer, The Dwelling Company; General Contractor, Crofton Issaquah I LLC.
About Weber + Thompson
Seattle-based Weber + Thompson is a full-service, West Coast architectural and interior design firm, managed by principals Blaine Weber, AIA, Scott Thompson, AIA, and Kristen Scott, AIA. The firm is comprised of an experienced staff of 40 design and construction professionals. Founded in 1987, Weber + Thompson's practice is diverse, with architectural and interior design project types including master planned communities, high-density urban infill, residential, commercial office, hospitality, and financial facilities. The firm has particular expertise in complex mixed-use and high-rise projects, winning various awards for their excellence in planning and design. Weber + Thompson seeks effective results through a thoughtful and collaborative design process.
For more information visit www.weberthompson.com,
or contact by phone at (206) 344 5700
or email info@weberthompson.com.
About The Dwelling Company
The Dwelling Company is the new home-building affiliate of Security Properties, Inc (SPI). Based in Seattle and founded in 1969, SPI is one of the nation's largest residential housing companies, with approximately 27,000 residential housing units in 42 states. In the Puget Sound area, The Dwelling Company's projects include Poulsbo Place and Crofton Springs.