Architects on the Leading Edge

A close-up of one of the three Amazon “biospheres” in downtown Seattle. Image Credit: Alexander Crook.

Seattle attracts talented architects, even more so as the region continues to enjoy an unprecedented construction boom. Yet its rare to come across the distinctive new development that is not only visually stunning but also manages to add something special to its urban environment

Seattle architecture critic Lawrence Cheek writes in The Seattle Times about the recent spate of high-rises: Many slam arrogantly into the street with alien indifference toward the human life ambling about their bases.

There are plenty of reasons why so many buildings disappoint. With construction and land costs high, developers feel compelled to take advantage of every bit of air and ground space they can persuade planning officials to let them to occupy. In spite of those constraints, a few architects and their partners have found ways to develop projects that dazzle, leaving their corners of the city better than they were before.

ALLYN STELLMACHER | PARTNER, ZGF ARCHITECTS, SEATTLE

Allyn Stellmacher, top right, with a close-up of The Wave in Pioneer Square, left. Lower right, clockwise from bottom, interior of the award-winning Federal Center South in Seattle; Finlandia Hall by Alvar Aalto; another view of The Wave.

1. Stellmacher on architecture
It presents the opportunity to create enduring cultural and civic value to create places and experiences that bring a little joy into the world.

2. Recent Project: The Wave at Stadium Place
Its a dance between old and new worlds, a way to have a foot in both with no apologies. Its of its own time and place.

We searched for a path that would allow us to create a significant structure that could also thoughtfully rebalance the ragged seam between the Stadium District and the more delicate scale of Pioneer Square, one that exhibits both sensitivity and a steely brawn. The Waves reflective skin melts into the horizon a counterpoint to the aggressiveness of the boxes.

3. Coming soon: The Mark office/hotel tower
Its the embodiment of a concise integration of a diverse context within a singular project. It brings together the old, in the form of the [preserved church] sanctuary [adjacent], and the new, in terms of the [44-story] tower [at Fifth and Columbia]. Its at once a steward of all thats been good in this city and a steward of all that will be good in this city.

4. Most admired architect
[Finnish architect and designer] Alvar Aalto. His architecture transcends the circumstances it set out to solve with a generosity and spirit reflective of culture and place.

5. On Seattle
Seattle is a boomtown and theres a lot of visual noise out there. I hope we can find a bit of calm and a degree of refinement in architecture that will result in gracious, authentic and commodious places for future generations.

MARK REDDINGTON | PARTNER, LMN ARCHITECTS, SEATTLE

Mark Reddington, top left, with the Link light rail station at the University of Washington, right. Lower left, top to bottom, proposed addition to the Washington State Convention Center; Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.

1. Reddington on architecture
Its an opportunity to help make the future that requires understanding the big needs of community and culture and society as well as the specific needs of individual building users.

2. The ideal client
The ideal client is smart, ambitious and engages effectively in the creative process. They expect the architect to do great work. Having a sense of humor is also valuable.

3. Recent Project: UW Link light-rail station
The approach to the UW station is making connective systems that link multiple modes of transportation for the campus and the surrounding community in a way that enriches peoples experience of the city and campus. The collaboration with [artist] Leo Saul Berk in the creation of Subterraneum is an exciting feature that makes traveling through the station provocative and memorable.

4. Seattle design
We should not be pursuing a Seattle architectural look. We should be pursuing creative architecture that captures the quality of the Seattle experience the climate, the quality of daylight, the connection to nature, the importance of material and craft and the culture of vibrant urbanism. Well make a better city by finding creative and idiosyncratic ways to engage those qualities and make the experience of Seattle unique.

5. Coming soon: Convention Center addition
It is a collage of multiple cool features. Each simultaneously performs as an individual experience, while also contributing to the greater collage to create an urban place. For example, the Pine Street hillclimb is a major set of stairs and adjacent seating platforms linking multiple levels in the building. It is parallel to Pine Street, with west-facing views down to Pike Place Market and Puget Sound.

DALE ALBERDA | DESIGN PRINCIPAL, NBBJ, SEATTLE

Dale Alberda, top right, with the Amazon biospheres and office tower, left. Lower right, top to bottom, New Caledonia’s Tjibaou Cultural Center by Renzo Piano; Seattle Opera at the Center.

1. Alberda on architecture
Architecture challenges us with the opportunity to create harmony between art, utility and technology while reflecting on time and place and creating a lasting legacy. That isnt easy; I love the challenge.

2. Recent Project: The Amazon biosphere buildings
We helped Amazon develop a vision for a unique workplace that breaks away from traditional office environments. We wanted to give employees the opportunity to think, work and collaborate while surrounded by unique amenities, including plants flooded with natural light.

3. Most admired architect
[Italian architect and engineer] Renzo Piano and his colleagues for their ability to consistently find bold solutions that are appropriate and well executed.

4. NBBJ favorites
Several projects have transformed the way health care is delivered by enabling communities to deal with issues such as dignity, cultural sensitivity and healthy lifestyle, including the Palo Alto Medical Foundation campus in San Carlos, California.

5. Seattles design signature
Seattle is growing up faster now than ever. In the past, a design said Seattle if it was a Northwest modern house in the woods, but weve moved well beyond that perception. Seattle was established with an adventurous and pioneering spirit. I hope that as we move forward, that spirit will be reflected in what we design and build here.