July 19, 2000

Design Detailings: More Samis apartments opening

Samis Land Co. has just opened its newest development, the Corona Lofts, located one block north of the Smith Tower at 606 Second Ave.

The Corona consists of 20 units with rent ranging from $1,000-$1,100 for studios that are 640-850 square feet. Rent for one-bedroom units is $1,700-$2,200 for one-bedroom units that are 1,050-1,330 square feet. Five units are still available.

Stickney Murphy Romine Architects of Seattle designed the restoration work; Spaces, also a Seattle firm, did the interior design. The building has been restored to retain many of its circa 1903 characteristics, such as original millwork and wood floors, high ceilings, exposed brick walls and a refurbished lobby with a marble staircase. The Corona is also equipped with high-speed Internet access and cable television access.

For information on tours or leasing, contact Tamara Hahn at (206) 854-4400.

Architects push for ADA clarity

With the 10-year anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act approaching on July 26, the American Institute of Architects this week urged the U.S. Department of Justice to provide greater clarity and certainty in the ADA.

"Architects have been striving to meet the intent of the ADA since its adoption 10 years ago, but can never be certain they've met the requirements unless they get sued," said R.K. Stewart, a member of the AIA Accessibility Task Force and an architect with Gensler in San Francisco. He cited a recent case in which the defendant was found by a district court to be non-compliant with the ADA even though the design and building was pronounced in compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standard -- which had been certified by DOJ as meeting ADA accessibility requirements. Another complaint: While architects are, on one hand, required to design ADA-compliant facilities, the DOJ will not certify beforehand that a design meets those requirements, he said. He added that current discussions between the AIA and DOJ to bring about improved clarity in the requirements have been well received.

Creative Capital director visits Seattle

Ruby Lerner, founding executive director of Creative Capital, a national organization that provides funding to individual artists, visited Seattle last week to introduce herself and her foundation to the arts community. The event was co-sponsored by SAM/Open Studio, Seattle Arts Commission, King Co. Arts Commission, Artist Trust, and the Seattle Independent Film & Video Coalition. Founded in 1999, Creative Capital is committed to working with artists in long-term partnerships, providing advisory services and professional development assistance along with financial support.

For more information on Creative Capital's schedule and upcoming events, visit the website at www.creative-capital.org.

Artists needed for 15 library projects

The Seattle Public Library and the Seattle Arts Commission are seeking artists to complete up to 15 projects in branch libraries over the next three years. Artists are sought in all media, including permanent materials such as metal or glass, surface treatments including etching or mosaic, and new media such as video or digital work. The Library is particularly interested in finding artists who want to explore, through their work, the meaning of a library as a repository of information and an icon of community identity. Branches for which work will be commissioned from roster artists include: Ballard, Beacon Hill, Broadview, Capitol Hill, Columbia, Douglass-Truth, Greenwood, High Point, Lake City, Montlake, North East, Northgate, Rainier Beach, and Southwest.

The artists selected will become part of a roster of no more than 30 artists pre-qualified for library projects. When public art commissions become available at branch libraries, a panel of library and community representatives will be assembled to select an artist for each project.

Chosen artists will work with the architectural design team, representatives from the branch library, and the community to discuss the appropriate integration of art into the building, to develop an art concept and design, and to fabricate and install the work.

The Library, as part of its art plan, has developed a collaboration program called Art Partners. For some of the branch library projects, the Library will pair artists from a roster with an artist from the local library community who will have excellent artistic skills but little or no experience working in the public realm. The experienced roster public artist will help select his or her teammate. This program is being established to encourage participation by local artists working in traditional or non-visual art forms, such as Chinese papercutters or community storytellers, whose work historically has not been articulated as permanent public work.

The program is open to established professional visual artists living in the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia). The library projects vary in budget size from $12,000 to $50,000 or more. For more information, please call Seattle Arts Commission project manager Lisa Richmond at 684-0998.

Methodologie, Traver merge

Local brand and design firms Methodologie and The Traver Co. are merging. The combined company will be the city's fourth largest brand and design firm with total billings of over $6 million.

Since its inception in 1988, Methodologie has grown from five employees to 35, with over 50 clients including Microsoft, Immunex and Primus. Methodologie is led by two high-tech industry veterans, Janet DeDonato and Bob Grindeland. The husband-and-wife team have over 40 years of combined experience: Grindeland in technology, multimedia and online communication, and DeDonato with primary expertise in investor communications and identity.

The Traver Co.'s 20 years of experience in brand strategy and design has focused on high-profile local and national companies including Vulcan Northwest, Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Seattle Times. Led by Anne Traver, the 14-person firm has had significant involvement in the arts, including local art museums and theatre companies, as well as the tourism and hospitality industry. The combined firm, now totaling 49 employees, will work out of Methodologie's current offices at 808 Howell St.

Aviation expert to address CECW

John Nance, air safety analyst and advocate, will be the keynote speaker at the fall conference of the Consulting Engineers Council of Washington, Sept. 14-16, at Sun Mountain Lodge, Winthrop. Nance is best known to television audiences as aviation analyst for the ABC network and as the aviation editor for Good Morning America.

"Learning to break down the barriers that prevent need information from flowing to those who need it and learning to identify and change those barriers to teamwork and collaboration that hamstring every organization are the focus of this presentation," Nance said. The theme of the conference is "A 21st Century Model for Real Time Leadership."

For more information about the conference or to register, call Loy Young at CECW, (206) 623-5936.