Architectural scale definition
Architectural scale means the size of a building relative to the buildings or elements around it. When the buildings in a neighborhood are about the same size and proportion, we say they are “in scale.” It is important that buildings have generally the same architectural scale so that a few buildings do not overpower the others. The exception to this rule is an important civic or cultural building that has a prominent role in the community. For example, nobody accuses a beautiful cathedral in a medieval European town of being “out of scale.” Because the Comprehensive Plan encourages a variety of different uses and building heights, such as in Downtown Kirkland, the buildings’ sizes will vary widely. To achieve a more harmonious relationship between the buildings and a more consistent character, design techniques should be used to break the volume of large buildings down into smaller units. Several guidelines in this section are directed toward achieving a consistent scale within districts.
Architectural scale means the size of a building relative to the buildings or elements around it. When the buildings in a neighborhood are about the same size and proportion, we say they are “in scale.” The vision and development regulations for the Yarrow Bay Business District provide for larger buildings than currently exist. Care must be taken to design buildings so they appropriately respond to the evolution of the District from the current low rise condition to its vibrant mixed use future. For example, a new project need not step down to a one story edge condition to acknowledge an existing one story building on an adjoining site, but it can incorporate horizontal and vertical modulation that allow it to “fit” with the existing context and provide cues for future development of the adjoining site.
Architectural scale means the size of a building relative to the buildings or elements around it. When the buildings in a neighborhood are about the same size and proportion, we say they are “in scale.” As both the vision and development regulations for the Rose Hill Business District provide for much larger buildings than currently exist, special care must be taken to design buildings so they do not overpower the others. The exception to this rule is an important civic or cultural building that has a prominent role in the community.