Mahlum Architects moved to the historic Polson Building in Pioneer Square in June. The new office is designed with open studios for optimal team interaction and project collaboration, according to principal Vince Nordfors.

With a 10 percent increase since last year, the firm now employs 80 architects, planners and interior designers, with offices in Seattle and Portland.

The 61-year-old firm has continued to work with healthcare organizations in the Northwest, gaining additional projects from existing clients such as Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, Kirkland; Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup; and Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane. The firm designed an assisted living facility for Sacred Heart Medical Center, and completed a congregate care facility in Portland for Legacy Health Systems.

On the educational front, Mahlum continues to address the issue of population growth through the development of over one million-square-feet of educational space including a new law school for the University of Washington, a new seminar and classroom facility for The Evergreen State College, a new community school for Edmonds School District, renovations to Coe Elementary School in Queen Anne, two elementary schools for Hillsboro School District, and a new high school for Salem-Keizer Public Schools in Oregon.

In the commercial and biotechnology markets, Mahlum sees renovation of existing facilities as a valuable alternative to building new facilities, as space becomes limited in urban areas. Mahlum completed the headquarters for Corixa Corp., adding to the list of completed headquarters facilities including Timberline Software and Dr. Martens AirWair USA. Additionally, Mahlum increased its Seattle presence with the design of the retail space for TWIST and renovations to the Polson Building.