DESCRIPTION:

The MLK Apartments project provides 19 permanently affordable, family-sized homes in Seattle’s Rainier Valley. Developed by Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties, the project is designed to support long-term community stability through access to light, nature, and safe, family-oriented living.

Located along Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, the site sits adjacent to the light rail and a major arterial. The building is strategically massed to act as a buffer—protecting residents from traffic noise and pollution—while opening westward to a grove of mature trees. This orientation provides a quiet, green outlook for all residents and supports environmental and mental well-being.

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The building receives daylight from all four sides, with windows in every room to promote healthy indoor environments and a strong visual connection to nature. At the heart of the building is a shared courtyard and covered patio—an outdoor room designed for gathering, play, and daily interaction among neighbors. The space is partially covered by the building above and open to the sky, supporting both comfort and connection throughout the seasons.

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The site is accessed from S. Edmunds Street to the north, away from the arterial. The primary entry is recessed, well-lit, and designed to prioritize safety and visibility. Ground-level units are buffered by native landscaping and trees, offering privacy and reinforcing a human-scale environment at the street edge. As residents leave their homes and the building, they walk out towards the trees and into light—an intentional design gesture that reconnects people to the natural rhythms of their day.

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The MLK Apartments are designed to foster a strong sense of community, provide safe and stable homes for families, and create shared spaces where children can play and neighbors can connect. The project supports long-term resident well-being by prioritizing permanence, thoughtful design, and everyday opportunities for interaction, reflection, and belonging.