5 Architectural Innovations to Check Out on your Next Pacific Northwest Road Trip
The Pacific Northwest region has become one of North America’s hot spots for innovative architectural design. Much of the architecture features buildings that blend the evergreen natural surroundings with modern design elements, a combination that seems distinctly Pacific Northwest. Architecture fanatics are flocking to the Pacific Northwest to visit the impressive and innovative designs. Here are five of our favorite architectural marvels to visit next time you’re in the Northwest region:
Seattle Central Library – Seattle, Washington
- Seattle Central Library
- Built 2004
- 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
- Architects: Rem Koolhaas, Joshua Prince-Ramus
- Open To Public
The Seattle Central Library is both an architectural and book lover’s dream. Designed to be easily accessible to the public, the library is both postmodern and functional, a stand-out design in the downtown area; and it has been offering architectural tours since 2004.
Wood Innovation and Design Centre – Prince George, Canada
- Wood Innovation and Design Centre
- Built 2014
- 499 George St, Prince George BC
- Michael Green Architecture (MGA)
- Open To Public
Housing a resource center for students, teachers and researchers studying the use of wood in design, the Wood Innovation and Design Centre was (unsurprisingly) built almost entirely out of wood. Apart from the ground floor slab, no concrete was used to build this marvel.
Chapel of St. Ignatius – Seattle, Washington
- Chapel of St. Ignatius
- Built 1997
- 900 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
- Architect Steven Holl
- Open To Public
The Chapel of St. Ignatius is far from the traditional gothic-style catholic church; it is a strikingly modern place of worship. Located in Seattle University, the Jesuit church was inspired by the concept of “a gathering of different lights”. Seven different colored bottles of lights are used to reflect a unique color in different parts of the church, representing the different elements of Jesuit Catholic worship.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre – Vancouver, Canada
- Vandusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre
- Built 2011
- 5151 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6M 4H1
- Architect Perkins+Will
- Open To Public
Known as an international icon of sustainability, the VanDusen Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre in Vancouver was designed to portray the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. The Visitor Centre was awarded the LEED Building Challenge Petal certificate for its innovative green building strategies.
Columbia Building – Portland, Oregon
LEED Gold certified, this highly sustainable office building was commissioned by the city’s Environmental Service bureau and completed in 2013. The Columbia Building is oriented along the path of the sun, and features a folding roof with ingenious use of natural light and rainwater recycling.
Jessie Ellis
Wife, friend and dog mom with 18+ years of education and 12+ years as a commercial design professional. Always inquisitive, creative and empathetic; trying to live each day with intention.