In the last ten years, a new idea in community and urban planning has been evolving across the country. This idea, called a “Pocket Neighborhood,” is a principle of New Urbanist design and a concept developed by Ross Chapin, an award-winning architect in Langley, Washington.

On his blog, Pocket Neighborhoods, Ross tells us that, “pocket neighborhoods can take the form of clustered homes around a garden in a variety of configurations in small towns or suburban settings. In urban settings, pocket neighborhoods are likely to be attached or stacked apartments opening onto a shared courtyard.”

Pocket neighborhoods are springing up all over the world and if you’ve ever stayed in the Beach Camp, the Alder Cottages, or in one of the cottages surrounding Crescent Park, you’ve experienced a Pocket Neighborhood! Seabrook’s Town Planner, Laurence Qamar, is a strong proponent of pocket neighborhoods and believes that this “increment of urbanism […] merits close attention,” according to the New Urban Network article, Good developments come in small packages.

Homes in pocket neighborhoods are often somewhat smaller and closer together than homes in a typical suburban neighborhood. Interestingly however, the balance between public and private space makes these neighborhoods comfortable and quite private, yet easily allows the residents to develop relationships with the people living around them.

The details are what make these neighborhoods so special. In addition to the green space around which the homes are centered, Qamar worked with the Seabrook team to create layers of personal space between the common areas and the front door of the cottages here. Each layer provides privacy without eliminating the opportunity for eye contact and encouraging conversation. Examples of these layers employed at Seabrook include: a border of perennial plantings at the edge of the sidewalk, a low picket fence, a covered porch, and even the low ‘perchable’ railings that exist on front porches.

We invite you to experience the balance of public and private firsthand! On your next trip to the beach, look out for pocket neighborhoods at Seabrook and along the Washington coast. You’ll be surprised with what you’ll find.

While Florida may seem very far away to many of us here on the Washington coast, a beach town called Seaside in Florida was one of the primary inspirations for Seabrook, WA!

Casey Roloff, Town Founder of Seabrook, explains, “I fell in love with Seaside and I am excited to build a town here in Washington with many of the same elements that sets Seaside apart from other development.” Although the architecture may differ between the two towns, both Seaside and Seabrook share quite a few similarities:

• Seaside’s town plan was created using 80 acres and Seabrook’s plan was made using 88 acres.
• Both beach towns are located on previously overlooked stretches of coastline.
• Seabrook and Seaside were designed to ensure a resident’s primary needs are located within a 5-minute walk of the town center.
• The retail center of each town was designed to be the heart of the community.
• A variety of pedestrian and bicycle friendly routes were created to encourage walking and bicycling as the primary modes of transportation.
• Charming regional towns like Seaside, OR, Cannon Beach, OR, and Carmel, CA,  influenced home design codes and architectural guidelines in each town.
• Small cottages, large family beach houses, and homes of every size and shape exist to provide something for everyone.
• Seaside and Seabrook have held property values better than any other town on their respective coastlines.
• Both Seaside’s and Seabrook’s Town Founders live in the towns they worked to create.

Like Seabrook, “It was never about selling real estate,” says Robert Davis, Seaside’s Town Founder. “It was more about selling an idea of how people can best live side-by-side in a community.”

“Seaside grabbed the imagination, not to mention the emotional heart strings of homebuyers who wanted to be a part of the Davis’ vision of Serendipity on the Gulf.” – Robb Report, “Seaside’s 30th Anniversary Special.”

Read the full Robb Report Seaside article and learn about the other similarities between Seabrook and Seaside!

Nationally acclaimed Seattle artist, Nathan DiPietro, will have the great honor of displaying his latest works of art at the prestigious Woodside/Braseth Gallery in Seattle through April 22. His art pieces will be rather unique, however. They will be dominated by a seamless synthesis of nature and real estate, of civilization and wilderness, of the coast and life beside it. Yes, you’ve guessed right, our very own Seabrook is Nathan DiPietro’s main topic of inspiration for his latest art showing and his paintings look absolutely amazing!

“I was drawn to Seabrook because it’s the physical edge of the newest wave of civilization, creeping up the coast towards the northwest tip of America. The architecture evokes the beach communities of Nantucket and incorporates craftsman and bungalow accents. Oyster shells line the paths. The cedar shingles on the houses come from the mill two miles north, in dilapidated Moclips. Fire pits and shuffleboard edge the park. The town’s grocery and restaurant complete the package, providing all the comforts of urban living. It’s the border where wilderness becomes Seabrook that I find to be most interesting.” – Nathan DiPietro

The official grand opening of DiPietro’s display called “New Northwest Coast: Investigating Seabrook Washington” will be held this Thursday, March 18, starting at 5:30pm. Please join members of our Seabrook Team and other distinguished artists and guests for this reception.

The Woodside/Braseth Gallery is located on 9th Avenue in downtown Seattle.

For directions, click here.

Hope to see you all there!

Jeff Lehman, a soon to be Seabrook homeowner, has recently shared with us his story about deciding to build a beach home at Seabrook. His adventure is fascinating, and he is happy to share it with everyone here on the Seabrook Blog. Hope you enjoy it!

Why I picked Seabrook

I still haven’t picked a home name yet, so stay tuned. The next time you are in Seabrook, drive by Lot 70 (near the site of the proposed pool house) and take a look.”

-Jeff

Here is a slideshow of some picture updates from Jeff’s house under construction:

Please enjoy CBS’s coverage of New Urbanism featuring Kentlands, Maryland and Seaside, Florida as examples of responsible development.