The Terry Thomas

Location

225 Terry Avenue North

Seattle, Washington

United States

98109

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Building Type:
Commercial/Office
Building Area:
64,000 sf
Total project cost (land excluded):
US$9,700,000
Completion:
April 2008
Certifications & Awards
  • U.S. LEED-CI, v.2 in 2009 level: Platinum (43 points)
  • U.S. LEED-CS 2.0 Gold (39 points)
Project Team
  • Architect: Weber Thompson
  • Owner: Thomas & Terry LLC

Summary

The Terry Thomas was designed to provide a healthy and creative work environment that would illustrate the possibilities of sustainable design. The project was driven by a future tenant who needed a new office space to accommodate a rapidly expanding architectural practice. The firm wanted to remain in the same neighborhood where it had operated for seventeen years, yet in a building that would exemplify commitment to sustainable design.

The Terry Thomas is located in Seattle's up-and-coming South Lake Union neighborhood, adjacent to downtown. This mixed-use neighborhood, formerly a light industrial area, includes parks, multi-family residences, offices and light industrial buildings. Located along a new streetcar line, the building is well served by a variety of transportation options and is within walking distance of numerous amenities.

The building has 37,000 ft2 of office space on four floors, with shower facilities to encourage bicycle use. The ground level features 3,000 ft2 of retail and restaurant space, and a central courtyard that provides a gathering space. Parking for cars and bicycles is available on two levels of an underground garage. An architectural firm, a marketing firm, and a real estate firm occupy the office space in the building.

An office environment can have a tremendous impact on behavior. The challenge in designing The Terry Thomas was to design a place-specific, environmentally responsible workplace that would enhance occupant health and productivity while reflecting the eco-friendly ethos of its inhabitants. Reducing the building's dependence on energy was a high priority. The benefits and future payback had to be defined in order to prove that the additional costs of this atypical office building would be returned in the future, ensuring that the building would be viable for leasing.

The project team began the design process by conducting a survey among the staff of the primary tenants about their priorities for their new workspace. The most frequently requested features were daylighting, natural ventilation, and improved community meeting spaces. The designers responded by creating a holistic design concept tailored to its specific site and made daylight, ventilation, and reinforced community connections a priority.

As both the designers and inhabitants of The Terry Thomas, the occupants now enjoy the benefits of strong natural and cultural connections while simultaneously increasing their productivity potential. In the process, they have created an experimental and educational tool for promoting sustainable design.

Awards

AIA, Top Ten- 2009

Text Courtesy of AIA, Top Ten records.