Mindy Black

Merit Award - Residential Design Multi-Family category for Raven Terrace WASLA - Washington Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects Nov 2016

Citation - Affordable Housing category for Raven Terrace Builder's Choice Design Awards Sep 2016 Raven Terrace is part of a vision for the revitalized Yesler Terrace neighborhood in Seattle. Targeted at families of varied backgrounds, local firm Weber Thompson designed the 29,925-square-foot complex to comply with a new zoning code that incorporates sustainable targets, reduced parking ratios, and design guidelines. The massing of the structure, which was built by Walsh Construction, works with the area’s sloped streets to create a pedestrian-friendly complex that has a strong street… Show more Raven Terrace is part of a vision for the revitalized Yesler Terrace neighborhood in Seattle. Targeted at families of varied backgrounds, local firm Weber Thompson designed the 29,925-square-foot complex to comply with a new zoning code that incorporates sustainable targets, reduced parking ratios, and design guidelines. The massing of the structure, which was built by Walsh Construction, works with the area’s sloped streets to create a pedestrian-friendly complex that has a strong street presence while still softening the imposing density of 120 units per acre. A seven-story tower holds the corner, and dual rows of two-story townhouses create a courtyard.Retail space and a community room at the ground level link the building’s occupants to the neighborhood. These shared spaces, both inside and out, feature a neutral materials palette punctuated with bright pops of color.Sustainable elements include separate heat recovery ventilators for each unit, LED fixtures throughout, and downspouts that direct water from the roofs to planters in the landscape. The building meets Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards and Enterprise Green Communities criteria. Raven Terrace seeks to set a strong precedent for subsequent development in the area. “It’s quite a nice project and very complex, especially considering the challenges that come with designing affordable housing.”— Juror Janet Bloomberg Show less

Gold Nugget Award of Merit - Affordable Housing Community - 60 du/acre or more category for Raven Terrace Builder's Magazine Jun 2016

Merit Award - Green / Sustainable Community category for Sweetwater, Hailey Idaho Builder's Choice Design Awards Dec 2011 The oldest ski resort in the U.S, Sun Valley, Idaho, is an active play-ground all year round. With its snowy winters, locals and tourists delight in serious outdoor play. But in recent years, neighboring towns' main roads became more congested as workers commuted from surrounding communities. A need emerged for affordable workforce housing, and rural Hailey (population 6,000) became home to the new 22-acre development. Catherine Benotto, principal of Weber Thompson Architects, helped realize… Show more The oldest ski resort in the U.S, Sun Valley, Idaho, is an active play-ground all year round. With its snowy winters, locals and tourists delight in serious outdoor play. But in recent years, neighboring towns' main roads became more congested as workers commuted from surrounding communities. A need emerged for affordable workforce housing, and rural Hailey (population 6,000) became home to the new 22-acre development. Catherine Benotto, principal of Weber Thompson Architects, helped realize this small town's big concept.Sweetwater, a high density, LEED-certified village of condos, townhomes, and carriage houses dotted with lush courtyards, brings a new level of green living to town. Using reclaimed wood siding and cool roofing, Benotto engineered a smart-growth community that blends into the landscape. The property's clubhouse boasts reduced water and energy use, and shared green spaces and energy-efficient streetlights encouraging evening strolls and conversation among residents. The homes that border the main park were intentionally built as the largest; says Benotto, because those were most likely to be inhabited by families. Its wide open spaces allow children to play free of traffic.The community features parking garages , uncharacteristic for a rural environment. "It's a very different way of handling the building. And doing it in a small town was another feat." Show less

Grow Smart Award - Residential category for Sweetwater, Hailey Idaho Idaho Smart Growth Oct 2009 This residential project in Hailey has an impressive range of housing options with 13 building types from 650 square feet flats to 2000 square feet townhouses. It integrates well with the surrounding community and provides much needed affordable housing for residents in a growing recreational and second home market. Sweetwater is part of the LEED ND Pilot Program with pending certification which targets credits for ‘smart location,’ ‘linkage,’ ‘neighborhood pattern,’ and ‘design.’ Sweetwater… Show more This residential project in Hailey has an impressive range of housing options with 13 building types from 650 square feet flats to 2000 square feet townhouses. It integrates well with the surrounding community and provides much needed affordable housing for residents in a growing recreational and second home market. Sweetwater is part of the LEED ND Pilot Program with pending certification which targets credits for ‘smart location,’ ‘linkage,’ ‘neighborhood pattern,’ and ‘design.’ Sweetwater illustrates how a well-planned, dense neighborhood can fit into the fabric of a rural community.The project provides 100% on-site storm water treatment and infiltration to recharge ground water, has energy efficient street lighting and all site lighting meets a strict night sky ordinance that exceeds LEED requirements. Over 1000 newly planted trees and most of the parking (of 1100 stalls) is tucked under buildings greatly reduce the heat island affect while enhancing the pleasant neighborhood character. A neighborhood of this size and density has never been constructed in Hailey. Unlike other developments which make density look unlivable by standing apart from the rest of the community, Sweetwater builds on the existing street grid and tightly connects to the adjacent neighborhoods. Buildings frame streets uninterrupted by parking. Porches, parks and courtyards provide ample space for residents to socialize, and the development is contained in many smaller buildings to mimic the scale and pattern of old Hailey. This compact design also allows nearly three acres of shared open space. Sweetwater provides some of the densest housing in the Wood River Valley and is a new model for Idaho’s communities. Show less