April 4, 2001

Masonry memories: Rehab captures raw splendor

Photos by J.F. Housel The Stable Building, at 20th and East Olive, was first used for boilers in oil refining. Adams/Mohler Architects' makeover preserved structural masonry and timber trusses. The southeast side features a terrace and entry to Rhodes, Ragen & Smith, a salvage business.

The northwest side of the Stable Building features the entrance to Adams/Mohler Architects.

When neighbors pass the Stable Building at 20th and East Olive, it takes a minute to decide: Was it there before? The old masonry -- in perfect condition with simple decorative concrete and basket-weave bricks in the upper courses -- looks familiar. And the clean storefronts that face the street look like they’ve been there all along. But isn’t that where the car was towed last year?

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Previous columns:

• Stepping out of the box, 03-07-2001
• Project of the Month: Callison stitches a new base onto Space Needle, 02-07-2001
• DJC Project of the Month: Mithun's westward movement, 01-03-2001
• Project of the Month: Research heaven at Harborview, 12-06-2000
• Project of the Month: Setting the scene for serious entertainment, 11-01-2000
• Project of the Month: Fun follows function, 10-04-2000
• AIA Project of the Month: Mixing in the middle, 09-06-2000
• Project of the Month: A heart of blue, 08-02-2000