Zack Borell, NCARB, EIT, APX

   A private school in Shoreline, WA, desired a picnic shelter on their campus. Unlike most shelters of its kind, this project is located on unstable soils in a high seismic environment which required deep concrete piers to support the large timber trusses. Custom steel plate connectors were designed highlight the structural connections.

   Owners of a single-family home wanted to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The home is located on a steeply sloped site with little unbuilt area remaining to place a detached ADU. The solution was to convert the home’s crawlspace requiring modifications to the existing foundations and framing above all while the home remained functional. Close coordination with the Contractor was needed to modify details on-the-fly to reconcile the existing conditions uncovered during construction. 

    This boutique hotel located Seward, AK, doubled their hotel size. Being built directly between Seward’s harbor and soaring mountains, this project required designing lateral systems for high wind and seismic forces. Large exterior wall openings allowing for stunning sight lines limited locations for lateral system elements. Shear walls and steel moment frames are used in tandem to keep the hotel and guests standing.