"It’s a continued expansion of ways of thinking about libraries that started a while ago, and people are continuing to push the envelope when it comes to nontraditional library spaces. Whereas a few years back, it might have been people adding multipurpose spaces into their libraries, now we’re adding a demonstration kitchen and a recording studio and creating space for community partnerships. We have a Discovery Garden where we’re putting power in the outdoor seating elements." - Mona Johnston Zellers

A re-imagined and re-invigorated Edmonds Library reopened to the public in January after an extensive renovation and modernization that followed a major flooding event in June 2022.

The design team’s refreshing take on agrarian vernacular also delivers on utility, practicality, and cost. “We turned to a light-frame wood and steel structure as both an expression of the region’s historic architecture and for its affordability, sustainability, and ease to construct with local crafts persons.”

Design firms can learn from JA’s approach and take action to better support emerging professionals, particularly women architects. Two-thirds of our staff are female and the percentage of women in leadership at JA is also unusually high: 73% of our firm leadership and two-thirds of our ownership group are women. According to a 2017 statistic from The American Institute of Architects, the national average for women in architectural leadership roles beyond project manager is just 17%.

WoodWorks has announced its 2023 Wood Design Awards winners, celebrating excellence and innovation in mass timber, heavy timber, light-frame, and hybrid building design. The annual award program charts wood’s growth as a material of choice and recognizes developers and design teams whose creativity and emphasis on quality continue to expand the possibilities for wood buildings.  

While building information modeling software is changing the way building design is communicated and documented, the design and construction process itself has not fundamentally shifted to meet the promise of the technology as applied to private multifamily development. A different approach to design teamwork is necessary to move the industry forward.

This month, the Winthrop Library is celebrating Women's history! In the newsletter, we decided to continue the celebration by taking a behind the scenes look at the four women architects who designed our Winthrop Library.

Housing is on everyone’s mind these days, in communities large and small around the country and here in the Methow. The pressure to increase the quantity of housing is certainly strong, but it’s worthwhile to take a look at the quality of the housing we are building from a community design perspective.

This has been a rough winter in some ways! Skiing has been great, but leaky roofs, burst pipes and icy roads have not been so great, and some of our most vulnerable citizens have had their routines disrupted by the harsh weather. One thing the pandemic has taught us is that it is important to be near family and friends if we need help and the staff and board of Jamie’s Place are formulating a forward-thinking plan to welcome more residents.

A Theoretical Physicist Wanted His Seattle Home Devoid of Curves. ‘It’s The Influence of Linear Algebra on Me.’