Weber Thompson

Last week’s rainstorm didn’t disappoint — it brought the first stormwater through our newest swale at Northlake Commons! Seattle Public Utilities opened the diverter, allowing dirty roadway runoff to enter and be filtered of harmful toxins before reaching Lake Union. It’s the fourth and largest swale we’ve worked on so far, and it’s designed to filter 2.6 million gallons of polluted water every year. Seeing the water flow through it for the first time was an incredible experience! ?? Landscape Architecture Principal, Director of Sustainability Rachael Meyer Clean Lake Union HessCallahanGrey Group #bioswales #stormwater #stormwatermanagement #seattle

Now Available: Northlake Commons Project Case Study Laboratory-ready office buildings are a unique building type not often associated with the use of structural wood, but that didn’t stop Seattle developer HessCallahanGrey Group from choosing mass timber for Northlake Commons. Designed in collaboration with Weber Thompson and DCI Engineers, Northlake Commons provides a home for companies involved with everything from artificial intelligence to life science research, with an innovative structure designed to elevate the human workplace experience. Download the free case study here: https://lnkd.in/enspHtQQ Spear Street Capital Swinerton Kalesnikoff Timberlab Sansin

Big changes are coming to the Eastside in 2025. With the East Link Light Rail finally set to open, there's a unique opportunity to reshape neighborhoods into vibrant, transit-friendly communities. In the latest DJC A&E Perspectives Special Section, Senior Associate Skye Bredberg and Principal John Stout, AIA, LEED AP discuss how new zoning, infrastructure investments and thoughtful urban design can help the Eastside thrive. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gYCDQ33t #bellevue #seattle #architecture #developments

We’re taking a closer look at the timber pergola at 35 Stone (now CornerStone). What inspired the design? Why was Alaskan Yellow Cedar the timber of choice? How do you fabricate and install a structure like this? And how do bees fit into the story? The design team broke it all down for us: Concept: Inspired by the hexagonal honeycomb structures, the team took a biomimetic approach to create an artistic timber pergola at the main building entrance. This welcoming, human-scaled feature highlights mass timber as a key element of the project while supporting the Living Future Petal Certification goals. Fittingly, four colonies of bees will move into an apiary on the north end of the building’s rooftop this spring, supporting the Urban Agriculture Imperative of the Living Building Challenge. Collaboration: In collaboration with Coughlin Porter Lundeen and StructureCraft, the design was refined to simplify connection points and incorporate feature lighting. To improve durability, Douglas Fir glulam beams were replaced replaced with Alaskan Yellow Cedar, a more robust timber species material better suited for the PNW elements. A metal cap conceals wiring for integrated lighting and prevents water pooling, ensuring the pergola withstands the elements for years. Fabrication: StructureCraft engineered, fabricated, and assembled the pergola, ensuring precision at every stage. Each CNC-machined component was test-fittedfittest fit in the shop-house before being carefully transported in custom-built jigs and assembled on- site. Their oversight kept the structure true to its design intent, both visually and structurally. Installation: Sellen Construction lifted and installed the prefabricated elements, streamlining construction. Standing at the building’s entrance, the pergola serves as a defining feature of the project, seamlessly integrating craftsmanship, sustainability and design. Be sure to check it out next time you’re passing by CornerStone! #biophilicdesign #sustainability #masstimber

Located at the corner of NE 8th Street and Bellevue Way, Avenue is the newest addition to the Downtown Bellevue skyline. The mixed-use, pedestrian-focused project is adjacent to Bellevue Square and offers walkable plazas, water features, native landscaping, and plenty of outdoor seating. The two towers provide over 1.1 million SF of retail, restaurants, luxury hotel rooms, parking, and condominiums to create a new and exciting destination in Bellevue. Architect of Record: CollinsWoerman Design Architect: Weber Thompson Interiors: HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates Landscape: PFS Studio Owner/Client: Silverstein Capital Partners Structural: DCI Engineers Civil: Navix Engineering Electrical: Coffman Engineers GC: JTM Construction Photography: Ed Sozinho Mechanical: Glumac / Holmberg #bellevue #downtownbellevue #bellevuewa #seattlearchitecture #architecture #luxuryrealestate

Imagine taking a walk through the woods… ? The biophilic design concept of a forest is reflected at every scale at Northlake Commons, from massing to details. Studies show that biophilic environments, like timber interiors, reduce stress and improve focus by 20%. Indoor wood exposure has also been linked to lower heart rates and blood pressure, offering the same calming effects as nature, creating a healthier, more natural way to work and live. ?? Nicholas Kielbasa / FLOR Projects #masstimber #biophilia #seattlearchitecture

March means Mass Timber Madness at our office! Check out some of the timber design elements at Northlake Commons, including inspiration from mortise and tenon joinery and a conceptual “walk through the forest.” - Mass timber was central to the project from the start, inspired by Pacific Northwest forests and the waterfront’s rich woodcraft history. - Exposed timber reflects a commitment to healthy materials, responsible sourcing, and biophilic design. - The building’s form draws from mortise and tenon joinery, a technique used in furniture and boat building to create strong connections. - Timber’s biophilic qualities engage the senses, deepening the connection to the space. - A conceptual forest floor, understory, and canopy enrich the experience, reinforcing the building’s connection to nature. - Subtly shaped courtyard columns echo the building’s geometry while casting dynamic shadows. - Maximizing wood-to-wood connections between columns and beams eliminates the need for steel, reducing carbon impact and improving installation efficiency. - The adaptable mass timber structure supports future flexibility while storing carbon and reducing environmental impact for decades to come. #masstimber #seattlearchitecture #biophilicdesign

We’re counting down the days to the International Mass Timber Conference! Join Principal and Senior Project Manager Todd Mayne for his session on Thursday, March 27th to learn all about 35 Stone and dive into the nitty-gritty of dowel-laminated timber (DLT). He’ll explore the project’s DLT and glulam structure, highlighting its design flexibility, structural revisions, long-term viability, best practices for panel expansion, and strategies to prevent moisture issues. See you there! #masstimberconference #masstimber #dltconstruction #dowellaminatedtimber

We recently had the chance to watch the installation of Seattle’s newest art piece, ‘Nocturnal Flight’, at The Ayer – a glowing tribute to Weber Thompson Founding Partner, Blaine Weber. A high-rise designed with art and community in mind, The Ayer was selected as the perfect home for this neon piece by local artist Yale Wolf. Blaine was a true night owl with a deep love for our city, and this is beautifully reflected in Yale’s work: a custom-crafted neon owl set against a blurred photograph of the Seattle skyline, mimicking raindrops. It was mesmerizing to watch Yale’s meticulous attention to detail and hear him speak about how the concept of this piece came together. A special thank you to Holland Partner Group for their thoughtful vision, for commissioning this piece, dedicating the space in The Ayer, and for leading the process from start to finish. Urban ArtWorks collaborated with Holland to facilitate artist selection, manage design development, and oversee production and installation. If you’re in the area, stop by to see this radiant tribute to Blaine. #seattleart #localart #seattle

There’s still time to register for Seattle 2030 District’s Water Week tour at Northlake Commons next Friday, February 28. Join Rachael Meyer and other project team members to learn about this mass timber project and how Seattle Public Utilities supports property developers in building stormwater infrastructure. (Bonus: If it’s raining, you might even get to see the swales in action!) Register: https://lnkd.in/g4-2rgTx #seattlearchitecture #masstimber #stormwater