When it opened in 1966, the Renton Public Library was an engineering feat. With pre-cast concrete and wood truss joists creating a stunning 80-foot central span across Washington State’s Cedar River and active salmon habitat, the library is beloved by generations of families and community members. Preservation of this community treasure was a clear priority for the project, but, by 2015, the library’s envelope was deteriorating and not in line with current energy codes. The structural system and chief design element did not measure up to current seismic standards, nor could it handle potential soil liquefaction.
Situated in a dense forest within the bend (and within earshot) of the nearby Tye River, this meditative retreat connects to the nature that surrounds it. As Tom Kundig describes it, \”Here, you are exposed to the wildness of where you are, to the wildness of this place.\”
The Tsunami House is a waterfront home located on a 3,140 square foot site in a high velocity flood (V) zone on the northern end of Camano Island. The building footprint was limited to a 30’ x 30’ pad.
Lake Sammamish State Park Redevelopment is organized around the fundamental principal of integrating the buildings with the landscape and the landscape with the buildings, blurring the distinctions between the two disciplines. Patano Studio Architecture’s competition winning entry in 2003 centered on this concept as an opportunity and methodology for unifying the 512 acre park with a consistent and understandable language involving built and landscaped elements.
This is a modest, sustainable building with a big presence in a big landscape.
The Hill House sits on a long, narrow, rocky ridge line, sloping gently to the south and steeply to the east and west. Site conditions dictated a long, narrow structure, and client expectations suggested a building deeply rooted in the landscape. The resulting project is conceived as a habitable landscape, a place to gather, shelter and rest, closely aligned with the rugged beauty of the site and responsive to the natural conditions.
The Stair House is located on a steeply sloped lot overlooking Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains in Seattle’s Leshi neighborhood. An existing building was removed to make way for the new construction. The new home sets into the slope, extends vertically onto three levels and totals 2400 square feet.
A successful builder / developer with a history of constructing modular houses purchased a lot in a desirable neighborhood near Washington, D.C. with the intention of building a spec house. When a potential buyer expressed interest in the lot, the developer proposed a modular house as a solution to a tight budget and time constraints. However, the craftsman and colonial style modular houses typically built by the developer did not appeal to the potential client, who desired a light-filled, modern house.
The owners saw potential in this 1914 craftsman home when they bought it in 2013. The Seattle family had the intention of restoring the home’s original details while also making modern modifications to the traditional layout on the main floor. Influenced by years of living in Japan, the clients wanted a clean and simple aesthetic to suit their minimal lifestyle. The central challenge for SHED Architecture & Design was to rework the floor plan to improve the primary flow of the space. The firm made modifications to the main floor to create a feeling of continuity from the entryway to the backyard while remaining sympathetic to the structure’s native form. The Seattlebased architecture firm manipulated and built upon existing geometry to subtly introduce a new kitchen, bath, laundry and outdoor space that compliment the home’s original bay windows, angled walls and oak floors.
Located north of Cashmere, Washington, in the Nahahum Canyon, this 1650 square foot two story dwelling is set into the hillside with concrete retaining walls that guide the form of the cabin. Its east west longitudinal axis and generous overhangs are designed to take advantage of solar orientation while maintaining panoramic views. The main entry is a two story room with full height glazing on the north and south walls that frame the most dramatic down-canyon view. An eastern oriented living space and kitchen occupy most of the main floor along with a powder room and utility area located within the hillside portion of the home. The upper floor contains the master suite and guest bedroom/bathroom with a loft style flex space that opens up to the living room below.
KEXP 90.3 FM Radio recently celebrated the ground breaking for its new $15 million broadcast studio complex. The ceremony attracted guests ranging from Pearl Jam’s lead guitarist, Mike McCready to King County Executive, Dow Constantine and, over 700 local fans. A staple of Seattle’s booming music scene for over 40 years, KEXP will soon occupy an expansive 28.000 ft2 piece of real estate in Seattle Center’s Northwest Rooms. KEXP’s new Walters-Storyk Design Group-WSDG – designed studios will feature an Audio/Video broadcast systems integration design based on a Wheatstone Audio for Radio and TV System. The complex will include: A 400 ft2 on-air studio, a 1090 ft2 Live Room, (2) production rooms, (2) audio and (2) DJ Booths (2) video edit rooms, a video control room (2) DJ Iso rooms, a Green Room, Production/Mastering, open office space, a library, conference rooms, and a 4500 ft2 reception area/audience space with a stage for live performances, adjacent to a record/retail store and a café. Funds for the new broadcast complex were raised by a successful on-air campaign and augmented by foundation, corporate, local entrepreneur and local government support.
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