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Architecture

Do the density, but spare the hi-rises

Sun, May 13, midnight

By Edward T. McMahon

For many cities, hi-rises would be a terrible travesty for their beauty and liveability. Besides midrises, as in Seattle, can provide all the density one needs.

Why Seattle needs a new urban environmentalism

Fri, May 11, midnight

By Don Fels and Patricia Tusa Fels

Sure, Seattleites score high when it comes to environmental awareness, but it's about time we took a good look at how we treat our city.

The Space Needle 'has a thousand fathers'

Wed, Apr 25, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The author of a new book on the Space Needle gives a talk to those who built Seattle's icon, and how he fell in love with the Needle as a Cub Scout watching the future rise on the horizon.

The Mossback Manifesto on urban density

Tue, Apr 24, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

How to think about preserving culture while the city swells. Some principles: Pay attention to NIMBYs, who are sometimes right. Not all density is good (or bad). And we can't have too much sense of place and history.

Seattle's hotel dining rooms trade old world grandeur for artsy casual

Fri, Apr 20, 2 a.m.

By Ronald Holden

In a move to appeal to younger travelers, a cadre of Seattle's more modern hotels are trading ornate chandeliers for more casual dining experiences.

America's foolish detour into shopping malls

Mon, Apr 9, 2 a.m.

By Mark Hinshaw

These land-devouring, car-dependent malls were invented 60 years ago, with Seattle among the pioneers. Now they are in terminal decline. There was a better idea in Kansas City, but unfortunately it was eclipsed by our mania for malls.

Messing with a park designed by a landscape master

Wed, Apr 4, 2 a.m.

By Mark Hinshaw

Counterbalance Park, on lower Queen Anne, is the last work by architect Robert Murase. It deserves better than a clunky intrusion of sculpture meant to honor a donor.

A busy week for activist judges, carving up Obama's health care law

Fri, Mar 30, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Winners and Losers: The Supreme Court's activists (the conservatives) strutted their stuff in questioning the Affordable Care Act, sending their supporters into victory lap mode. Back here, Rob McKenna is probably fine either way.

A vexing debate over saving Harborview Hall

Fri, Mar 30, 2 a.m.

By Mark Hinshaw

The handsome old building is slated to be demolished to create a needed open plaza for the hospital complex. But must the choice between saving a building for unneeded medical purposes and having a small park? Here's a better way.

Why don't architects speak English?

Thu, Mar 22, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Grand plans for Seattle Center evoke hovering "Jelly Beans," "dematerialized urbanism," and "catalyzing atmospheres." That's just what Seattle needs: more gobbledygook.

Midday Scan: A super-green building for Seattle; tax windfall from pot sales; PTSD questions

Wed, Mar 21, 11 a.m.

By Pete Jackson

Also, the ageless Jamie Moyer goes for a new record, and score one for the railheads who ask tough questions about transit costs.

Memorable fiascos of Seattle's 1962 world's fair

Mon, Mar 19, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World's Fair, it's time to remember some of the crimes and blunders that went along with it. Some even launched new industries.

Saving Seattle's glass house from stones

Wed, Mar 14, 2 a.m.

By Knute Berger

One challenge to saving the historic Volunteer Park Conservatory is that it's tiny. Is its gem-size an asset, or does it have to grow to be self-sustaining and survive the budget cuts ahead? Citizens meet to brainstorm options.

Putting Seattle on the map: the 1962 World's Fair

Thu, Mar 1, 2 a.m.

By Jean Godden

While the vision the 1962 World's Fair presented was naive and beyond utopian, the event nonetheless gave Seattle a foothold in the future and the right to dream big.

Storefront mushroom farm opens in Pioneer Square

Wed, Feb 29, 2 a.m.

By Amy Pennington

Pioneer Square window shoppers can now peruse art, antiques, and the mushroom farm that has popped up in the storefront of architectural firm, Olson Kundig.