News from Swift
WASLA Design Award
The Sound Transit Northgate Station wins a WASLA 2023 Award of Merit for the design of a 2 acre multimodal district where pedestrians, cyclists, and bus commuters converge, circulate, and interact. Finding beauty in the daily commute and the intimate experience of transiting through a community as part of daily life takes on new meaning at the points where we move from one mode of transport to the next. These hinge points make or break the joy of a seamless transition that supports continued use. The Sound Transit North Link Northgate Station is one of those points, where joy and pleasure are a fundamental part of the design criteria in support of building a community committed to and comfortable with mass transit. The jury acknowledged this core criteria: “it is a delight to see a transportation project that promotes joy and pleasure for its users and transforms otherwise foreboding infrastructure into an artistic expression.”
Climate Pledge Arena wins Sports Facility of the Year Award!
Climate Pledge Arena has been awarded Sports Facility of the Year at this year’s Sports Business Awards in NYC! Congratulations to Oak View Group, CAA ICON, and Populous Architects for leading the way, the Seattle Center team, and all of the collaboration we shared with our design teammates. As a Revitalization of an existing arena within the heart of Seattle’s civic center, the Climate Pledge Arena project positioned itself as uniquely responsive to the neighborhood, community, and climate. Read more here.
Sound Transit Northgate Link Extension wins 2021 ACEC-WA Engineering Excellence Award!
The Sound Transit Northgate Link Extension received the 2021 ACEC-WA Engineering Excellence Award! 4.3 miles with 3.5 miles of tunnels. The Extension daily serves 49,000 people with three unique stations and Swift is thrilled to celebrate the acknowledgement of this important investment in the future of our region. We are thrilled to see the rapid adoption of the three urban stations and their contribution to civic life.
The Long Game: Sound Transit Extensions, a Master Plan for OSU Cascades Campus, the new Climate Pledge Arena
Building community and exceptional places for civic life is a long game. It requires vision, commitment, and a team of many. Read our full newsletter and subscribe here!
The Architectural League of New York American Roundtable Grant: “Dynamic Landscapes,” South Beach, Washington
On February 26, 2021 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM PST, the South Beach team South Beach team presents a year of research and exploration of a deeply dynamic place on the Washington coast facing the future of sea level rise, tectonic plate shift and tsunami. Check it out here. Photography: Eirik Johnson
The Architectural League of New York American Roundtable Grant: “Dynamic Landscapes,” South Beach, Washington
The American Roundtable initiative goes live! Director Nicholas Anderson describes the hopes for the project (Read more here). The South Beach team report reflects a year of research and exploration of Washington State’s coastal community facing the future of sea level rise, tectonic plate shift and tsunami joins nine other research efforts (Check out the full project here). Photography: Eirik Johnson
Eastern Washington University Pence Union
Eastern Washington University Pence Union Building continues to win awards for design excellence including citation awards from AIA Washington Council and AIA New England Design. The heart of university life, the renovated student union focuses on places to gather, study, and celebrate. Photography: Kevin Scott
Seattle Builds its Best Urban Plaza
Clair Enlow continues her comprehensive investigation of the built environment in her November article in Post Alley, Seattle’s Market Place of Ideas. In Seattle Builds It’s Best Urban Plaza, Clair dives into the story of 2+U, a remarkable contribution to urban life.
OSU Cascades Land Reclamation Project Complete
The first of four projects creates the foundation for campus infrastructure, campus open space and classrooms. The 46-acre, 100-foot deep former pumice mine has been reclaimed through the processing and moving of pumice and landfill material. The material was innovatively recycled on site through the blending of landfill material, landfill cover soil and material from the pumice mine for a suitable engineered fill, raising the mine up to 40-feet in some areas and establishing rough grades for the future campus projects. More information here.
The Architectural League of New York American Roundtable Grant
Barbara joins a team of planners, photographers, lawyers, and architects looking at Washington’s South Beach community through the lens of community, health, infrastructure, economics, and environment to craft a portrait of the past and future. One of ten selected submittals out of over a hundred, the team is exploring a deeply dynamic place facing the future of sea level rise, tectonic plate shift and tsunami. More information here.
2+U Opens for You
Located at 2nd Avenue and University Street, 2+U opens for public use. The network of walks, overlooks, plazas and hill climbs invite safe public access in this time of Covid 19. Come, visit, enjoy and imagine a future of gatherings, food, conversations, concerts, and civic life!
The Year of Gathering – Citizens First, Designers Second – A Webinar
BCJ convenes the second of two events on Finding Joy in Our Public Spaces for the Year of Gathering. Barbara and Benjamin de la Pena join forces again for an hour-long discussion and touch on a new design tool kit for the ‘subterranean change occurring now”. More information here.
Bullitt Foundation Grant Wraps
The Bullitt Foundation Thought Leadership and Innovation Grant in research, scholarship and action for the ”Leap Frog to a Shared ROW/Public Realms in the 22nd Century” wraps up with an assessment of institutional capacity for innovation and the impediments to rapid change in the way we use the critical public space – our streets. Check out the final report here.
The Year of Gathering
Barbara joins Lisa Picard, Benjamin de la Pena, Patreese Martin and moderator Peter Miller for a panel discussion focused on public space and the civic realm. At the heart of the conversation are questions of trust, connection, community, and communication. More information here.
Metropolis Think Tank 2019 Seattle – New Models of Life and Work in the Pacific Northwest
Barbara Swift will join a panel focused on strengthening urban vitality and the social web with Robert Miller of BCJ, Rich Mohler of Mohler+Ghilino Architects and John Su of Su Development as part of Metropolis Magazine’s Think Tank Series on May 9. More information here. — Recap here.
UW Runstad Department of Real Estate Advisory Board
Barbara Swift joins the multidisciplinary Advisory Board in 2019, continuing her work at the University of Washington as a community volunteer and advisor.
WSU Troy Hall Renovation AIA Seattle Award
The transformation of Troy Hall in the heart of the Pullman historic campus receives an award of Merit for Design. Designed with future campus plan changes in mind, the site integrates the historic campus landscape and creates a terrace adjoining a future central green.
ASLA 2018 Annual Meeting – Inside Swift Company
Gareth Loveridge and Barbara Swift share Swift Company’s approach to work, firm philosophy and practice in an ASLA “Inside the LA Studio” series presentation at the 2018 ASLA national convention in Philadelphia.
ASLA Ask Me Anything Online Interview
As part of the ASLA’s Emerging Professionals Committee, Barbara Swift participates as an invited guest in an online event, answering any and all questions. More information here.
Bullitt Foundation Grant
Barbara Swift, Thaisa Way and AP Hurd receive a Bullitt Foundation Thought Leadership and Innovation Grant in research, scholarship and action for the ”Leap Frog to a Shared ROW/Public Realms in the 22nd Century” research proposal.
DC Unbuilt Design Awards
Barbara Swift to join the 2018 Washington DC|AIA Unbuilt Work Competition jury for theoretical and commissioned work followed by an evening round table conversation at the District Architecture Center. See Unbuilt Washington Awards
Barbara Swift to Give AIA Resilience Thinking Forum Closing Keynote
Barbara Swift will provide the closing keynote address for the AIA Seattle’s Resilience Thinking: Places, Spaces, Communities to occur on December 11th in Seattle. The interactive full-day forum will focus on resilience within a socio-ecological framework with the goal of building sustained capacity for action.
Swift Company receives Honor Award from WASLA for the Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Extension
Swift Company is honored to receive the 2017 WASLA Honor Award for Analysis and Planning for the preliminary corridor planning and design for the Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension. The eight mile corridor extends the wildly successful light rail system north from Northgate in Seattle to Lynnwood, Washington.
Barbara Swift to Participate in NCHRP Transportation Workshop
Barbara Swift will join the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine workshop focused on Sustainable Highway Construction Practices research in Irvine California. Bringing together all players, the workshop focuses on innovative practices above and beyond the required standards.
Seattle Design Festival 2017 – Power
Barbara Swift joins panels focused on vision, policy and action. Enter the Fray: How Architects + Designers Can Be Powerful Advocates on 9.18 and Collaborative Power: Transforming Our Future on 9.20. Both focus on rapid change and advocacy. For more information, please see the attached.
ARCADE – A City to Love: Auckland’s Vision of a Public Realm
Barbara Swift and the 2015-2016 University of Washington Runstad Affiliate Fellows present spectacular and relevant findings from their research in Auckland, New Zealand in ARCADE’s Fall issue. For launch party information, please see the attached full announcement. For the issue see arcadenw.org.
Urban Land/ULI – Six Noteworthy Developments Changing the Face of Seattle
ULI’s Urban Land lists Stone 34 and 2+U as essential examples of where Seattle is going – generous community and people places. Swift Company is landscape architect and urban designer for both, reflective of our deep-seated commitment to place and a vibrant urban life. See: Six Noteworthy Developments Changing the Face of Seattle
Seattle Design Commission Design Excellence Award
The Sound Transit University of Washington Station receives a design excellence award for its exceptional effort in exemplifying the values of the Design Commission – Inspired design, contextual integration, innovative sustainability, social inclusion, exemplary partnerships, effective investment and impeccable execution. Swift Company is honored to have led site planning and design during all phases.
American Society of Landscape Architects 2017 Student Awards Jury
Barbara Swift will serve as the chair of the ASLA 2016 Student Awards Jury honoring the exceptional work and thinking of students in the United States and around the world.
Thompson Hotel Awarded NAIOP State Hospitality Development of the Year
The Thompson Hotel at 1st and Stewart is a Touchstone project, with OKA and Swift Company. The NAIOP award honors the Thompson Hotel out of nearly 60 commercial, industrial, and residential development projects in Seattle for 2016. See the complete award nomination here.
Sound Transit UW Light Rail Station Recognized with an AIA Seattle Award of Merit
The University of Washington Light Rail Station received a 2016 Merit Award from the Seattle AIA chapter. UW University Architect Rebecca Barnes says of the project, “The station beautifully and intricately navigates an almost unbelievably complex urban node.” See the full award submission here.
Seattle Public Utilities South Transfer Station honored with 2016 WASLA Merit Award
The SPU South Transfer Station received a 2016 merit award from the WASLA. The project is celebrated for its thoughtful integration of program, circulation, and its showcase of reclaimed treasures—bringing new recognition to a long-standing facility employee practice. See the award submission here.
Grand Tetons National Park Craig Thomas Visitor Center Awarded 2016 ASLA Honor Award
We are honored to announce Swift Company’s project Grand Teton National Park Craig Thomas Discover + Visitor Center has been awarded a 2016 ASLA Honor Award. The 2016 Awards Jury praised the project as, “Beautiful, awe-inspiring,” and that it, “doesn’t compete with the wilderness.” To see the full award, please visit here. To read about the project, please visit here.
UW Station Receives a Fast Company Innovation by Design Award
We are excited to announce that the Sound Transit University of Washington Station has received an honorable mention in the Spaces, Places, Cities category in Fast Company’s 2016 Innovation by Design Awards! To view the full award, please visit here.
Runstad Fellows Present “A City to Love: Visions of a Public Realm”
The 2016 Runstad Center Affiliate Fellow will be presenting their work “A City of Love: Visions of a Public Realm.” The event will take place at the Impact HUB Seattle in Pioneer Square on September 27th at 6pm. We hope to see you there! To RSVP, please visit here.
Women Shaping Seattle: An Interview with Barbara Swift
Coinciding with this year’s Seattle Design Festival theme of Design Change, The Urbanist is publishing a series exploring the way women are changing Seattle’s built environment. Barbara Swift was interviewed for the series for her leadership in the Seattle design community. The full article can be read here.
University of Washington Station written up in The Stranger
The University of Washington Station was written up in The Stranger on August 12th by Charles Mudede. Calling the area “a paradise of multi-modal transportation”, Mudede praises all aspects of the landscape and architectural design of the station. He describes the station as, “the best looking train station on the line.” To read the full article, please visit here.
UW College of the Built Environments 2016 Commencement Address
Barbara Swift is honored to be speaking to the graduating students and their families and friends at the University of Washington College of the Built Environments graduation celebration and reception honoring graduates from all college departments and interdisciplinary programs.
American Society of Landscape Architects 2016 Student Awards Jury
Barbara Swift will serve as a member of the ASLA 2016 Student Awards Jury honoring the exceptional work and thinking of students in the United States and around the world.
University of Washington Link Station wins AIA Washington Award
The Sound Transit University of Washington Station has been awarded an Honorable Mention from the AIA Washington 2016 Civic Design Awards. The station building was designed by LMN Architects and the extensive site by Swift Company. Located at a transportation nexus at the toe of Rainier Vista, the station abuts Husky Stadium and University grounds. On March 19th, the station opened to capacity crowds. Ridership stays high today, changing regional transportation options for the future.
Nathan Brightbill
On March 31st, 2016 we experienced the unexpected terrible loss of our great colleague and friend, Nathan Brightbill. He was a vital and cherished part of our Swift Company family and he will be sorely missed. While our loss is significant, it pales in comparison with that of his wife Leah and two young sons. Nathan is survived by his wife Leah, young sons Rylan and Levi, and his family. Please see the links below for more information and ways to help.
400 Fairview Open for Business
400 Fairview, Swift Company’s recently completed collaboration with Skanska USA, is open for business and exhibits and exceptional blurring of public and private. Following a rigorous evaluation of market strategies, Skanska and the design team pushed typical assumptions to create a growing vibrant environment. Swift Company was influential in the design decisions that led to the strong interior/exterior relationship bringing in urban life with multiple paths, natural light and views deep into the building. The intentional generosity of seating, stages, and stoops with meticulous attention to detail invites use by all.
Skyway Library is Now Open
Swift Company project Skyway Library is now open to the public! Sitting at the intersection of Renton Ave S and 76th Ave S, the library is the main focal point of Skyway’s civic infrastructure. The multi-functional entry plazas can be combined with the parking area to create a larger space that can host a weekly farmer’s market, annual car show or other local community events. Artist Jenny Heishman joined the team and created magic with her Sky Stones. (photograph by Robert Wade)
Swift Company Project U Link to open in March
The University of Washington Sound Transit Station is schedule to open 6 months early and $150 million under budget. Along with the Capitol Hill station, the stations are the first of 5 current Sound Transit station projects for Swift Company. The UDistrict, Roosevelt, and Northgate Stations are in the final stages of construction documents with early phases of construction under way. Additionally, the Lynnwood Link Extension Preliminary Engineering is wrapping up.
2016 Affiliate Fellow at University of Washington Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies
Barbara Swift to join selected industry leaders, faculty, and students for a program examining real estate issues in the built environment. The Affiliate Fellows program fosters deep interactions between students, the academic community, and the business community, provides mentorship to students, and explores new ideas relevant to the Northwest real estate community.
Federal Way 320th Library Recognized with an AIA Washington Civic Design Award
The Federal Way 320th Library received an AIA Washington Council Civic Design Merit Award, acclaimed by the jury for its uplifting community presence and remarkable attention to detail. The Civic Design Awards recognize public projects which represent Washington’s highest standards in sustainability, innovation, building performance, and community engagement.
Stone34 – LEED Platinum!
Stone 34, with Skanska Commercial Development, has been awarded LEED Platinum. The Brooks headquarters project followed extensive efforts with the City of Seattle Deep Green Pilot Program and developed a market driven, sustainable commercial development in a neighborhood undergoing rapid growth.
2014 NAIOP Award
The Stone 34 development with Skanska has been honored with an award for the “Office Development of the Year” by NAIOP. The local chapter of the national organization recognizes local real estate projects and companies for their impact on the community, market adaptability, ingenuity, and local contributions. The award acknowledges the exceptional integration of a “deep green” project with Fremont community identity, housing Brooks Sports headquarters and flagship retail store on the Burke Gilman Trail. Click here for more info on NAIOP.
University of Washington Paccar Hall Foster School of Business Awarded the 2014 Green GOOD DESIGN
The Chicago Athenaeum/Europe awarded the Paccar Hall Foster School of Business the Green GOOD DESIGN award as an example of the world’s most important examples of sustainable design.
South Transfer Station Awarded Seattle Design Commission Design Excellence Award
The Commission nominated the Transfer Station to receive one of four design excellence awards for exceptional integration of building landscape and function, stating the beautifully integrated project created a landmark in the city.
South Transfer Station Awarded 2014 AIA/WA Civic Design Award
The City of Seattle South Transfer Station, a vigorous collaboration with URS, Miller Hull, Mortenson and WPA, received an honor award for its contribution to public design, representing the finest standards of design excellence, innovation and integration into the surrounding community.
Peace Arch Land Port of Entry Awarded GSA 2014 Design Excellence Honor Award
The jury found the Peace Arch Land Port of Entry exemplifies the highest level of civic design in response to a changing world, through the insertion of a complex facility into the topography, subservient to the historic Peace Park and the expansive coastal landscape.
Barbara Swift ASLA Fellowship Honors
The American Society of Landscape Architects is elevating Barbara Swift to the ASLA Council of Fellows for her work. The designation of Fellow is conferred on individuals in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a sustained period of time.
Landscape Architecture Magazine Features Craig Thomas Visitor Center
LAM features the Craig Thomas Visitor Center in an article titled, “Scary Enough.” Read the article on our website.