Photo courtesy BCRA The Blue Olive Ultra Lounge & Bistro in Tacoma uses unique design elements to draw customers.

Featured Stories

"How to get more floor space in high-rise condos"
New structural design method allows floor spans to reach 40 feet without internal columns, creating more flexible living spaces.
By SHEILA BACON
Special to the Journal

"Are you ready for a $30B quake?"
A recent study suggests a magnitude 6.7 quake on the Seattle Fault would injure or kill 20,000 people, and damage or destroy 40,000 buildings. By JACQUELINE MESZAROS
UW, Bothell

"A modern way to fortify an old building"
The century-old Port Townsend City Hall is getting earthquake protection from a new administration annex next door.
By DAVE RUTHERFORD
ARC Architects

"New waterfront mandate: OK isn't good enough"
Economic forces, lifestyle choices and changes in our cities demand better use of these valuable resources.
By RANDAL BENNETT and MARK HINSHAW
LMN Architects

"Is Seattle ready to slim down its residential towers?"
New zoning is expected to pass next year that will allow skinny residential buildings up to 400 feet tall downtown.
By BLAINE WEBER
Weber + Thompson

"Add an archaeologist to the design team"
Cultural resources surveys are becomingly increasingly important to Pacific Northwest developments.
By JASON B. COOPER
Jones & Stokes

"Can the Northwest be energy independent again?"
A movement is afoot to develop local renewable energy sources, such as wind power and biofuel.
By SUE SANDER and LORI A. TERRY
Special to the Journal

"Artists, architects find a sense of place"
Art can turn locations into destinations, transform utility into experience and infuse culture.
By MARIEKE LACASSE
GGLO

"Design dialogues cultivate Seattle's Chinese garden"
Chongqing designers are helping a local team create the first Sichuan-style garden built outside of China.
By CORY PARKER
Jones & Jones

"Designing a feast for the eyes"
Independent restaurants are trying novel concepts to stand out in the crowd.
By KELA CRISP
BCRA

"Fitting feng shui into Western architecture"
New holistic design options involve the concepts of body, soul and spirit.
By JOSEPH GREIF and DYAN PFITZENMEIER
Special to the Journal

"Listen closely on how to find leaky pipes"
Special sensors are able to continuously monitor pipelines for leaks by listening to water flow vibration noise.
By TERRY STEPHENS
Special to the Journal

"Try integrated 3-D design for better buildings"
Designers that use a collaborative 3-D approach will save clients money and time.
By JIM DUNCAN
Sparling