JOHN FOX PLACE
Seattle
Merit Award
Sent by: Excel Pacific
OWNER: Low Income Housing Institute
LEADING DESIGN COMPANY: Architects Pyatok
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Excel Pacific
CIVIL ENGINEERING: Latitude 48 Engineers
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING: Quantum Consulting Engineers
MEP ENGINEERING: United Mechanical Systems
This seven-story, $24.7 million project brings 104 units of affordable multifamily housing to Seattle’s Licton Springs neighborhood. Features include 1,500 square feet of community amenity space on the ground floor, including a gym, conference room, shared laundry, bike storage, outdoor deck and play areas. The building is named after John V. Fox, a longtime affordable housing advocate and leader of the Seattle Displacement Coalition.
About five months before fieldwork, crews completed a full mock-up of the unit to verify the quality of interior finishes prior to the drilling process. To ensure the project’s longevity, the team selected high-quality, durable, cost-effective construction materials and interior finishes. The project team collaborated extensively during the preconstruction phase on value engineering to help maintain budget and maximize the owner’s design intent.
The project team navigated multiple delays, including the concrete truckers’ strike that pushed the schedule back 4.5 months, as well as a material shortage at Seattle City Light that caused a delay in permanent electrical service . Change orders, primarily due to the delay in the particular strike, increased the budget by $1.8 million over the original contract amount.
The MEP and fire sprinkler systems were designed beyond energy code standards to ensure savings over the life of the building. Electric heat pump water heaters will reduce electricity bills, while solar panels covering the roof will help power the facility.
All site workers used Eyrus hard hat beacons that track workers’ hours on and off the project. These beacons record exactly how many hours each registered worker spent at the workplace for prevailing wage requirements. They also sent emergency and safety evacuation announcements and communications to all registered users during construction in the event of an emergency.
