This section contains a discussion of a range of the predominant architectural styles found among existing buildings in downtown Bothell. A small number of buildings designed in other styles, from different periods or displaying a degree of stylistic influence from other styles (for example, 1930s Art Deco influence on decorative elements of the Anderson Building) can be found in downtown, but detailed descriptions of those styles have not been included here. The City of Bothell Design Guidelines, Building Styles and Features by the Bothell Landmark Preservation Board, 2007, or most recent revision, may be consulted for further detail on these and other architectural styles. Within individual style descriptions below, the dates shown indicate the historic period of initial popularity of the style. With the goal of strengthening downtown Bothell’s “sense of place” and architectural character and building on its heritage in mind, the Architectural Styles discussed here are included to provide a basis for reinforcing and strengthening the character of predominant building fabric in the project area in the design of new buildings and development, whether through the full emulation and/or interpretation of one of the predominant building styles. Alternatively, where a predominant downtown architectural style is not used, the information is intended to provide guidance for architects and developers to make sensitive reference to, incorporate, and/or harmonize with characteristics of predominant architectural styles such as (but not limited to) massing, horizontal and vertical scale increments, façade composition, roof form, architectural elements, materials, and colors.
The sections below list predominantly commercial and mixed-use styles first, followed by predominantly residential styles.
A. Early 20th Century Commercial Style (circa 1900 – 1930).The Early 20th Century Commercial Style was a simple, economical and adaptable style that arose in reaction to the perception of overly ornate Victorian and Neoclassical styles that preceded it. It incorporated classical principles of base, shaft and capital organization of massing and façade composition but without a full iteration of the classical orders, using simplified elements instead.
1. The style was applied to all types of commercial and mixed-use buildings.
2. Building massing is typically composed of one simple volume; where applied, additions are also of simple volumes. The style is easily adapted to unusual sites.
3. Roofs are flat, hipped, or gabled. A false front commonly hides the roof profile at the storefront façade.
4. Front façades are flat with a shaped parapet at the roofline, occasionally with a projecting cornice instead or as well. The parapet is well-detailed with a continuous parapet cap or a built-up cornice.
5. Wall materials of the primary building are generally patterned masonry wall surfaces (brick, tile, etc.). Stucco (above the ground floor) and painted horizontal wood siding are also used with strong trim elements.
6. All buildings and all storefronts have a base.
7. Ground floor storefronts are contained within a large opening in the primary wall material. They may continue to use that material, or in many cases the storefront has its own architecture and materials distinct from the building yet complementary to it as well.
8. Storefront glazing is composed of large panes of shop windows, with a continuous horizontal band of commercial clerestory windows above shop windows and the entrance door.
9. Fabric awnings are often used at commercial clerestory windows or preferably above; they should be divided into segments to match window divisions rather than a single continuous awning.
10. Façade windows above or outside the storefront are typically symmetrically composed in relation to the storefront, sometimes in groups.
11. The front entrance to upper story uses is distinct from the storefronts, and is attractively detailed to be recognizable as not a storefront component.
12. Window and door shapes are simple and rectangular.
13. High quality materials such as glazed ceramic tile, painted carved wood, bronze door hardware, etc. are located at the ground level where customers and tenants come in contact with the building.
B. Mid-20th Century Styles (1930 – 1970).Reflecting “machine age” design and in protest to the styles of the earlier Victorian period, architectural styles of the mid-20th century were influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian house plans in the United States and the Bauhaus school in Europe. Mid-20th century styles found in the Downtown Subarea include Art Deco, Art Moderne/Streamline Moderne, Contemporary, Wrightian, New Formalism, Northwest Regional and Ranch. Generally, they are comprised of horizontal lines, large expanses of glass, multiple planes and mixed materials but each style has very distinctive attributes. See the City of Bothell Design Guidelines, Building Styles and Features by the Bothell Landmark Preservation Board for further information on mid-20th century styles.
C. Contemporary Styles (1970 – present).
1. For the purposes of this Plan, Contemporary Styles comprise those architectural styles that draw on Modernism, Post-Modernism, and other current styles in practice today. Most Contemporary Styles have drawn upon contemporary building materials and modern construction methods to create a visual identity that is distinct from historic architectural styles.
2. Over the last two decades, a contemporary Northwestern regional style has emerged that responds to the climate and regionally available materials. Elements include large roof overhangs with exposed structural elements and expansive window openings. Materials such as brick, stone, and unpainted structural wood are characteristic of this style, as well as shingle, board and batten, clapboard, and other vertical and horizontal siding. Bothell has strong precedents for this style (such as the Bothell High School Auditorium and University of Washington Bothell/Cascadia College campus buildings) and it is an appropriate expression when a contemporary style is used.
3. Styles that incorporate pedestrian and urban principles including appropriate scale and composition relative to surrounding buildings, façade rhythm and a high level of articulation are encouraged. Contemporary styles with simple building volumes, minimal surface articulation and relief, and unornamented detailing that conflict with the intimate and human-scaled characteristics of traditional styles that support downtown urbanism should be discouraged.
4. In some cases and especially in “Post Modern” styles after 1980, designs have drawn upon other historical styles previously described in this document for inspiration or emulation, but their scale and use of materials is not limited to the roots of those historical styles.
5. Contemporary Styles have been used on all building types, including commercial, residential, industrial, and civic uses. They have frequently been used on building types outside of downtown districts (such as office park campus buildings, suburban schools, and industrial buildings).
6. As mentioned above, building massing and form of Contemporary Styles typically feature simple volumes, often using geometric forms. They may be asymmetrical or symmetrical in organization. They do not necessarily follow strict proportional guidelines.
7. Building elements such as walls, windows, and roofs are often expressed as individual planes or forms. Windows can often be expressed as “voids” between walls, or act as entire wall planes (such as curtain walls). Where they are expressed as openings in walls, they are typically composed as a series of rhythmically or strategically placed “punched openings” for compositional reasons.
8. Flat roofs are used in many cases, but shaped roofs are often treated as geometric forms or volumes that may “stand out.” Examples include barrel vaults, angled planes, curved planes, and extended overhangs. They may be accented with special materials such as sheet metal or tile.
9. Contemporary Styles employ a wide palette of building materials. Metal cladding, concrete, glass, tile as well as natural materials may be used in unconventional ways for aesthetic purposes. Materials as well as colors are often used to define building volumes or even functions.
10. Building colors may be composed of contrasting hues and tones, with individual building elements or forms emphasized through use of an accent color. Strong, saturated hues are often used to play off of neutral hues.
D. Queen Anne (circa 1885 – 1905).
1. The Queen Anne styles are what many people think of as “Victorian.”
2. The style is applied to both commercial/mixed-use and residential buildings.
3. It is characterized by asymmetrical and picturesque massing and is more horizontal in comparison to its predecessor style of Italianate.
4. The Queen Anne Cottage style is a simpler version of Queen Anne applied to smaller homes.
5. Porches, gables, protruding window bays, angled or rounded corners, and turrets are freely composed to create complex volumes and surfaces.
6. Roofs are composed of a series of gable-roofed volume in both perpendicular and parallel orientation. A prominent gable often dominates the front façade.
7. Front porches are often decorated with elaborate latticework and turned columns and spindles.
8. The style introduced curved surfaces, merging shapes and volumes.
9. Wall cladding often includes several types of wood siding on any one façade; scalloped shingles on upper levels and horizontal and/or vertical wood siding below is a typical arrangement.
10. Rich multi-color combinations of wall cladding and trim colors were used, with a particular palette of late 19th Century colors.
E. Craftsman (circa 1900 – 1930).
1. The Craftsman Style emerged after the turn of the century to satisfy tastes for greater simplicity and natural forms and is the predominant historic house style in Bothell. Influences included Shingle Style homes of the east, the Arts and Crafts movement and its related informal lifestyle, and the popularity of small bungalow homes.
2. These styles were applied primarily to residential buildings.
3. Building massing is typically composed of one low simple gable-roofed rectangular volume; where applied, additions are also of simple volumes.
4. Front façades typically have a central shallow pitched gable roof perpendicular to the street; on occasion it is parallel to the street with a dormer above. In the former case, a sub-gable may be offset from the main gable to create a front entry or porch.
5. Proportions of both the overall building mass and of individual features (windows clusters, porches, etc.) are horizontal.
6. Window and door openings are generally composed to align both horizontally and vertically on façades; symmetrical façade arrangements are common.
7. “Elephant” columns and double columns at entry porches are a common feature; other decorative elements include ornamental brackets to support roof overhangs.
8. Craftsman bungalows are typically clad with wood shingles or siding. Trim is painted wood of a contrasting light or dark color.
