Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

Practice: Architecture and urban design

Founded: 1965

Leadership: Peter Bohlin, principal for design

Architects with a strong design portfolio and a reputation for leadership in environmentally sustainable development will emerge from the recession with new clients, according to Peter Bohlin of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson. The firm has had projects in the Seattle area for 13 years, including city's municipal center, a two-block project that includes a new city hall. The architect's home office is in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., and there are offices in Berkeley, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

The focus is academic and institutional, cultural arts facilities, residential, government facilities and libraries. The Seattle office has a total staff of 20. The entire firm has grown over the year. Total construction value of projects completed last year is $165.3 million, with an average of 22 projects per year.

"We are transitioning from an unprecedented period of prosperity. Architecture is an industry which is intrinsically cyclical in nature... As the surplus of clients with seemingly endless financial means diminishes, there has been increased competition for local commissions," he said. Firms are now faced with "the next step in the industry's growth: to continue to create regionally appropriate architecture with more limited means."

Recent and current projects include the Seattle City Hall, now under construction; Ballard Library and neighborhood service center, Grand Teton National Park visitor center in Moose, Wyo.; and a private ranch in western Montana.