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Overview

This small office building erected in 1955-1956 encapsulated Modern trends of the time, having both elements of Miesian architecture and Regional Modern building approaches. The striking clarity of the building formal solution along with its hovering appearance on its west side made this building an important landmark for motorists traveling between Northeast Seattle and Downtown.

Building History

Simply put, the building is memorable for its concise, geometrical appearance, its hovering, volumetric lightness and its wooded appearance. It stood as a gateway marker for the bohemian Eastlake neighborhood which in the 1950s and 1960s became something of a center for architectural firms in the city. It stands as the highest achivement of the firm of Steinhart, Theriault and Anderson, probably just above the rightly praised Swedish Club #2. As a prototypical Modern design of the1950-1965 period, it joined the area's best commercial/institutional specimens, including such landmarks as the Norton Building (1957-1959), Seattle Public Library Magnolia Branch #3 (1963-1964) and University of Washington's Winkenwerder Hall (1963).

The building stood as an excellent advertisement for the firm's progressive stylistic inclinations and attention to detail. The Pacific Architect and Builder said in its issue of 09/1960: "Public awareness of architects and the professional services they perform can be developed in a number of ways. A notable example in the Pacific Northwest is this little office building--a real eye-stopper with an overall design quality that removes it from the 'gimmick' category. Furthermore, motorists traveling between downtown Seattle and the northeast section virtually 'look over the shoulders' of the architects at their drafting boards. The office staff is small--six to eight including the three partners--and the building implements the firm's policy of a 'limited volume of work with personal attention to the client's problem.' By cantilevering the sides and one end of the structure beyond a small basement and by extending the planting area underneath the frame, the smallness of the site is camouflaged. At the same time, Shuksan stone walls at the base give a rugged stability to the lighter appearing building which balances above." (See "Where architects Hang Their Hats Steinhart, Theriault & Anderson, Seattle, Washington," Pacific Architect and Builder, vol. 66, no. 9. 09/1960, pp. 36-37.) The basement's walls, faced in uncoursed rubble brought from Mount Shuksan in Whatcom County, provided a massive counterpoint to the light, glazed volume floating above it.

Steinhart, Theriault and Anderson, Architects, collaborated with C.B.S. Construction Company, the general contractor and Donald G. Radcliffe, the structural engineer, on the design and construction of their own offices.

Building Notes

The Steinhart, Anderson and Theriault Office occupied 5,066 square feet (0.24 acres) of land.

PCAD id: 14633