PUBLIC PROJECT

The $68.4 million, 12-level Seattle Justice Center provides 294,000 sq. ft. of space for both the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Municipal Court. Photo courtesy of Hoffman

Award of Excellenc
Seattle Justice Center, Seattle, Wash.
Submitted by: Hoffman Construction, Seattle, Wash.

The new City of Seattle Justice Center combines creative construction with responsible design, resulting in a government structure that is part of the growing civic center in downtown Seattle.

The $68.4 million, 12-level building provides 294,000 sq. ft. of space for both the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Municipal Court. Project architect NBBJ (Seattle) met the challenge of differentiating two tenants sharing a single building by using contrasting architectural façades and separate entrances. A traditional office tower design for the north portion of the building symbolizes the police department while an expansive glass curtainwall for the south portion represents the more public nature of the court.

The building was designed to meet the "silver" standard of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program. Not only does the curtainwall provide abundant natural lighting and airy space, it also acts as a natural heat collector and ventilator. When air is heated in warm weather, it is ventilated through louvered vents at the top, dramatically reducing energy cooling costs. Other "green" elements, along with the use of sustainable building materials and recycling of construction waste, include a planted sod roof and a water harvesting system.

"Finally, a LEED Silver rating and an elegant design to go with it," enthused one juror. "The building represents the way of the future."

During construction, general contractor/construction manager Hoffman Construction was challenged during the building of a tall shear wall. This wall, one of two shear walls which transfer lateral seismic building loads, is a simple straight wall that could not free stand. Since the structural steel attaches to the shear walls, the shear walls had to be in place before steel could be erected. The schedule would not allow the wall to be poured in lifts just ahead of steel erection. Crews used a tower crane mast for lateral support of the 179-ft. tall wall, proving effective for pouring the shear wall, steel erection and supporting a manlift.

PRIVATE PROJECT

The new 50,000-sq.-ft. Tacoma Art Museum is located at 16th and Pacific in downtown Tacoma near the University of Washington's Tacoma campus; one block from Union Station and the Washington State History Museum; and just four blocks south of its present home. Credit: Photo by Fred Westerlund/Hoffman

Award of Excellence
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, Wash.
Submitted by: Hoffman Construction, Seattle, Wash.

The Tacoma Art Museum's move into new space in May 2003 will end the museum's 20-year reign in a renovated bank building in downtown Tacoma and mark the beginning of its new life in a custom-built facility designed by an award-winning, internationally recognized architect.

The new 50,000-sq.-ft. museum is located at 16th and Pacific in downtown Tacoma near the University of Washington's Tacoma campus; one block from Union Station and the Washington State History Museum; and just four blocks south of its present home.

After passing through a grand plaza that offers views of Mt. Rainier on a clear day, visitors enter the 4-level structure through a clear glass lobby facing Pacific Avenue. The lobby houses a store, café, and event space for large public gatherings such as lectures, films, performances and other special events. Visitors ascend upwards through four small galleries to one larger gallery, all which wrap around a natural light-filled central core and a "mist moss" garden.

Construction of the museum presented several significant challenges. The site is a sloped hill that drops 30 ft. and separates the two street levels. The design maximizes the elevation change as a design element, allowing exceptional views from the museum. The upper street level provides access for the downtown community and the lower level provides access for parking. Crews were also challenged to bring the stainless steel skin, shotcrete walls, glass and aluminum mullions together with zero tolerance.

The adjacent federal courthouse required crews from general contractor/construction manager Hoffman Construction (Seattle) to work closely with the courthouse staff. Prisoners were shuttled to and from the courthouse seven days a week, requiring Hoffman to maintain road access throughout the duration of the project.

"A unique design and construction challenges make this project an artistic showcase," noted one juror.
The museum's design architect is Antoine Predock of Albuquerque, NM, and the executive architect is Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen of Seattle.

Construction was completed in November, and the museum will open in May 2003.

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PROJECT

Collaboration and careful planning combined to ensure the mega-project Seahawks Stadium was finished on time and well within budget. Credit: Photo by Corky Trewin

Award of Excellence
Seahawks Stadium, Seattle, Wash.
Submitted by: Turner Construction, Seattle, Wash.

Close collaboration and careful planning resulted in completion of mega-project Seahawks Stadium on time and well within budget.

Turner Construction was retained by First & Goal in December 1996 and began working on the preconstruction services as the initial design program was being prepared - prior to the selection of Ellebe Becket (Kansas City, Mo.) as the architect. Turner and Ellerbe, in association with LMN Architects (Seattle), developed a facility program, conceptual design and total project budget to prepare for an eventual referendum. Once the referendum passed the following June, the project team immediately began full preconstruction services. In only 15 months, Turner led the team through a compressed environmental impact statement and master use permit process while running preconstruction services on two related project phases - the construction of the attached exhibition center and the implosion of the former Kingdome. Throughout the project, the team would note the collaboration and ample lead time as key reasons for the project's success.

Construction of the project began on time and was completed on schedule. The project approach of providing steady, level labor crews resulted in bids below comparable facilities of a similar size and complexity and enabled crews to work through a difficult labor environment. The project was turned over on time in June 2002.

The stadium team was highly involved with the community, establishing outreach programs early on in the process and providing frequent construction updates to neighbors. More that $81 million of the work was minority/women business enterprise contracts, requiring the coordination of numerous meetings with the construction team and subcontractors. The project also exceeded a 15 percent apprenticeship goal with 18 percent participation. Turner worked together with PortJobs - a Port of Seattle agency that recruits apprentices into various trades - in addition to outreach amongst the trade unions and participation at job fairs.

"Turner did a great job utilizing a design/build approach, resulting in a more efficient project," noted one judge.

TENANT IMPROVEMENT

Construction crews made the most of a complicated space when performing the tenant improvement work for the Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar. Photo by Frank Rosenstein

Award of Excellence
Seastar Restaurant, Bellevue, Wash.
Submitted by: Lease Crutcher Lewis, Seattle, Wash.

Construction crews made the most of a complicated space when performing the tenant improvement work for the Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar. Located in ground level retail space in the Civica Office Commons in Bellevue, Wash., the U-shaped area created three unique dining experiences: an illuminated communal chef's table, an intimate dining area with private room, and an active bar and raw bar.

The potentially hard-edged retail space was softened with elegant, flowing visual elements. Custom draperies and cast art glass walls buffer diners from the windows facing the sidewalk and street.

The interior design in the 7,725 sq. ft. of space utilizes nine different floor coverings, eight different wall finishes a 5-color palatte, a variety of stained woods, custom metals and hand-blown glass light fixtures.

Construction crews were challenged by the building's limited space and the location of tenants occupying the building. The multi-kitchen buildout at the rear was extremely dense, requiring extensive planning and coordination to successfully integrate Seastar with the parent building's structural and mechanical system, as well as the complex architectural elements of the restaurant itself. Crews had to install three vertical kitchen exhaust ducts through and existing vent shaft within the core of the building. To maintain fire separation and minimize disruption to the tenants above, Lewis installed temporary lighting and a continuous scaffold assembly within the existing shaft. All work was accomplished from within the shaft, thereby completely eliminating the need to access the tenant spaces above.

"An elegant restaurant creatively 'puzzled' into a difficult horseshoe-shaped space," noted one juror.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

The Tacoma Art Museum's design architect hopes the humble structure gets "lost in the sky" during the Pacific Northwest's gray, rainy days. Credit: Photo by Robert Reck

Award of Excellence
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, Wash.
Submitted by: Hoffman Construction, Seattle, Wash.

The new Tacoma Art Museum uses subtle design and appropriate materials to blend in with its surroundings. In fact, Albuquerque, NM-architect Antione Predock has said he hopes that the museum gets "lost in the sky" during the Pacific Northwest's gray, rainy days.

Blanketed by a shadow stainless steel skin, the angular form of the museum seems to disappear into the horizon on such days. The design was inspired by Mt. Rainier, the Puget Sound and the bridges of the nearby port area.

"Predock's design adds a beautiful, sculptural, modern structure to an industrial landscape - what an art museum should be!" said one judge.

Predock uses glass and steel to create stunning views of Mt. Rainier, which appears to be pulled in by glass walls in the building's entryway and top floor. Once inside the 50,000-sq.-ft. structure, the near absence of windows urges patrons to focus on the art. Light enters the galleries through narrow openings near the floor.

A striking element of the building is the mist-fed moss garden, which is surrounded by reflective glass. This garden leads visitors into rooms displaying the museum's collection of Northwest art. Following these showcase rooms, the structure draws patrons into the main gallery. This space, with 30-ft. ceilings, will host national exhibits.

The architectural finish concrete floors, wood floors, stainless steel exterior skin and plaster ceilings are of the highest quality. In addition, the complex HVAC system is a complement to the museum's needs. The designer was able to organize the structure hierarchically around the different ends to take advantage of views and natural light.

The executive architect is Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen of Seattle, and the general contractor is the Seattle office of Hoffman Construction.

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

The new 68,000-sq.-ft. Bellevue Community College Instructional Building includes space designed for general classrooms, faculty offices, student common areas, meeting rooms, a café and a modern dance studio. Credit: Photo by Ed LaCasse/LaCasse Photography

Honorable Mention
Bellevue Community College Instructional Building, Bellevue, Wash.
Submitted by: LMN Architects, Seattle, Wash.

Architects coupled sustainable building materials and methods with a design compatible with its surroundings to create the newest building on Bellevue Community College's campus.

The new 68,000-sq.-ft. BCC Instructional Building includes space designed for general classrooms, faculty offices, student common areas, meeting rooms, a café and a modern dance studio. It is designed to achieve an optimal combination of program, energy conservation and both interior and exterior environment.

The landscaped courtyard between the 3-story classroom wing and the 2-story office wing provides a gathering space for students and connects the building's lobby to the rest of the campus. Its architectural vocabulary is derived from the context of the 1967 campus buildings: cleanly expressed concrete frame, jumbo brick, curtainwall and stucco infill.

The project team used many "green" materials and systems, including high efficiency glazing, and a light shelf/sun screen system, which reduce the building's maintenance costs and allow the occupants to adjust the temperature, glare and light within and onto the building. Innovative sustainable design strategies include waterless urinals, electronic faucets, recycled materials, environmentally neutral materials and a storm drainage system that helps protect salmon. BCC expects to save more than $1 million in operating costs over the 30-year depreciable life of the building.

RENOVATION/RESTORATION

Jurors noted Hazen High School's dramatic transformation from drab structure to vibrant new building. Photo by Steve Keating

Award of Excellece
Hazen High School Addition and Renovation, Renton, Wash.
Submitted by: DLR Group, Seattle, Wash.

The renovations and additions at Renton's Hazen High School gave the students, faculty and staff not only an improved facility, but boosted morale and school spirit as well.

The existing school's gray concrete exterior conveyed a poor image to the neighboring community. Inside, the school was a virtual maze of corridors with no student gathering space.

After passage of a bond in 1998, DLR Group was hired to design a new auditorium and make facility improvements to the original 1960s building. The project scope and design evolved through input from community members, students, faculty and district staff. By creating innovative designs and solutions, the project became much more than originally expected. The final result establisged a positive new image of the school to the students and the community and incorporated a much needed student commons in addition to the new auditorium and systems improvements. Wick Constructors (Seattle) completed construction while school was in session, without disrupting the 1,800 students.

Through the location of the new auditorium and reorganization of the administration offices, DLR Group architects were able to create a new main entry to the school. By enclosing the existing open-air courtyard, a new student commons space was created in a space previously unused by students.

The new auditorium was located at the front of the school, a decision that changed and improved the image and approach to the school. The addition features a curving brick façade, monumental windows, a metal canopy and new landscaping and paving. Inside, the auditorium will seat 650 and support both school and community functions.

Jurors were impressed with the transformation of the drab, gray school to a vibrant new place for learning.

"A wonderful message to the children of the community," said one juror. "A great accomplishment of design and construction."

"School pride in a major way" said another.

RENOVATION/RESTORATION

The new John Stanford Center, located on 12 acres in Seattle's SODO district, will consolidate various administrative and industrial support facilities into a single new location. Photo by Kelly Tanner/DLR Group

Honorable Mention
John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence, Seattle, Wash.
Submitted by: DLR Group, Seattle, Wash.

The new John Stanford Center, located on 12 acres in Seattle's SODO district, will consolidate various administrative and industrial support facilities into a single new location.

The site facilities were formerly used by the U.S. Postal Service as a distribution center, challenging the project team to convert a large industrial space into an advanced, efficient, mixed office and industrial complex. The design team proceeded with a schematic concept rooted in the geometric definition of spaces, reinforced by a "color by room function" paint scheme. Canted walls and vivid colors break the monotony of space into three main spatial divisions: offices, meeting rooms and utility functions.

The 330,000-sq.-ft., 3-floor main building and 20,000-sq.-ft. vehicle maintenance building will house the district's headquarters personnel and central office staff and offer space for a warehouse, records archives, a central kitchen, an auditorium, an automotive maintenance facility and other functions.

Baugh Skanska (Seattle) was the general contractor for the renovation, which included installing a new roof, new windows, exterior upgrades, hazardous material abatement, new electrical and mechanical systems, major structural modifications and seismic and ADA upgrades.

MECHANICAL PROJECT

A new steam pressure reducing station was custom built to feed an existing low-pressure steam radiator system in the Suzzallo Library's 1935 building. Photo courtesy of University Mechanical

Award of Excellence
Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
Submitted by: University Mechanical Contractors Inc., Mukilteo, Wash.

In performing a complete mechanical upgrade at the University of Washington's historic Suzzallo Library, University Mechanical crews were forced to fit modern technology into a structure originally built more than 75 years ago.

The gothic-style structure, originally built in 1925, overlooks the UW's Red Square. Additions to the building were made in 1935, 1947 and 1963. University Mechanical's recent work was part of an extensive, overall seismic retrofit.

While all areas of the library required extensive work to fit mechanical systems into spaces where none existed before, the construction and design team put substantial effort into devising a method of updating the 1925 portion of the building. This section was in great need of an updated HVAC system that would meet today's requirements, however, the design team was restrained by not being allowed to make modifications to the final appearance of the library. The solution involved digging a mechanical room into the center core of the building, where it would not be visible. The existing structure was re-supported by large, structural cantilever beams and new footings. This allowed the additional 8 ft. of clearance via excavation to accommodate the new equipment. The existing site sewer and manholes were replaced and relocated to accommodate the new mechanical room. The new HVAC equipment was custom built and designed to fit within the mechanical room, due to space constraints. In fact, there remained only one inch of clearance when the system was fully coordinated.

Once the room was built, the roof was installed and a small hole remained through which to stage the equipment. All of the air handling pieces were staged through the roof and then winged into place for assembly.

"Executed an extremely difficult project on an extremely important building," said one judge.
CDi (Lynnwood, Wash.) was the project's mechanical engineer. Turner Construction (Seattle) was the general contractor and Mahlum Architects (Seattle) was the architect.

ELECTRICAL PROJECT

Sparling's recent electrical design work on the Women and Children's Pavilion at Providence Everett Medical Center provided the owner with innovative design solutions while maintaining critical hospital operations during construction. Photo courtesy of Sparling

Award of Excellence
Providence Everett Medical Center - Women and Children's Pavilion, Everett, Wash.
Submitted by: Sparling, Seattle, Wash.

Sparling's recent electrical design work on the Women and Children's Pavilion at Providence Everett Medical Center provided the owner with innovative design solutions while maintaining critical hospital operations during construction.

The new $52 million structure is a medical center devoted to the care of women, children and infants on the Providence Everett Medical Center campus. It offers a new family maternity center with 40 private birthing suites, a newborn intensive care unit, a pediatrics inpatient and outpatient service facility, and a family resource center.

Sparling's work included providing electrical solutions that would allow for infinite expandability and interface with present and future technologies, as well as optimize design for existing and future renovation work. Sparling designed an additional emergency power system capable of handling increased critical load requirements, allowing the hospital systems to self-sustain for almost one week without utility power. Also, existing utility transformers were relocated during the project, allowing the hospital to maintain hospital services during construction. Sparling's designers worked closely with the medical center and local utility companies to create an innovative phasing plan that avoided disruption to hospital services, kept the hospital aesthetics in place and ensured timely project delivery with minimal disturbance.