BuildingWork

09/01/2026

We recently visited the Lake Stevens Library construction site to see the project taking shape.

Designed to respond to its natural context, the new library will create a welcoming place to gather, study, and learn alongside the wetland and forest beyond. Mass timber is central to the design, with exposed cross-laminated timber panels and glulam frames creating a warm interior connected to the surrounding landscape. The steel post structure (seen in slides 4 + 5) will become “The Nest,” an outdoor children’s learning area designed as an extension of the library’s learning spaces. Two large glacial erratics also anchor the entry plaza, connecting the new library to the site’s natural history.

More to come soon!

Client: Sno-Isle Libraries
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Landscape Architect: Swift Company
Civil Engineer: KPFF - Seattle
Structural Engineer: KPFF - Seattle
Mechanical Engineer: The Greenbusch Group
Electrical Engineer: TFWB Engineers Inc.
Lighting Designer: Blanca Lighting Design
Envelope Consultant: RDH Building Science Inc.
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
LEED Consultant: ArchEcology, LLC
Specifications Consultant: ABI
Commissioning Agent: Hamasaki Consulting Engineers
Geotechnical Engineer: Shannon & Wilson, Inc
Wetlands Consultant: Shannon & Wilson, Inc

07/23/2026

How can an unused, out-of-date building be transformed to support community, culture, and the environment?

That’s the question guiding our work on the future home of the Walla Walla Arts Collaborative. Currently in schematic design, the project reimagines a 1970s bank building as a vibrant arts center for downtown Walla Walla, bringing together at least six local arts organizations that support the visual arts, music performance, and arts education under one roof.

More to come!

06/25/2026

Recently featured in the Everett Herald, the new Lake Stevens Library is taking shape.

These latest site photos capture the exposed cross-laminated timber structure, which creates a warm and welcoming interior, as well as the installation of the library's vertical wood siding. Composed of random-widths and reverse battens, the cladding references Lake Stevens' history as a lumber and sawmill town and will soon wrap the building's exterior.

We look forward to seeing this new community resource come to life in the months ahead. Click the link to read the full article: https://bit.ly/4uCywBQ

Client: Sno-Isle Libraries
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Landscape Architect: Swift Company
Civil Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: The Greenbusch Group
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: Blanca Lighting Design
Envelope Consultant: RDH
Acoustic Consultant: Ssa Acoustics
LEED Consultant: ArchEcology, LLC
Specifications Consultant: ABI
Commissioning Agent: Hamasaki Consulting Engineers
Geotechnical Engineer: Shannon & Wilson, Inc
Wetlands Consultant: Shannon & Wilson, Inc

05/19/2026

Photos from last month’s Vision Awards, where Matt Aalfs accepted the Embodied Carbon Award for The Metropole Seattle alongside our clients at the Satterberg Foundation.

This project reflects our belief that adaptive reuse can be both climate responsive and community centered—transforming a long-vacant historic structure into a high-performance nonprofit hub serving communities of color in downtown Seattle.

Congratulations to the entire project team, and thank you to the Bellevue and Seattle 2030 District for the recognition.

Owner: Satterberg Foundation
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Ecotope, Inc
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: DarkLight
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
Historic Masonry Consultant: Speweik Preservation
Envelope Consultant: RDH
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Specifications: ABI
Landscape Architect: KKLA
General Contractor: W.G. Clark Construction
Mason Contractor: Finishing Touch Masonry
Photos: John Ludeman Photographic

05/12/2026

Tomorrow from 4:30 - 6pm, we’re joining Seattle 2030 District and BetterBricks for a behind-the-scenes tour of The Metropole Seattle.

Hosted by the Satterberg Foundation, the event offers a closer look at the adaptive reuse and transformation of the historic Pioneer Square landmark into a high-performance, community-centered hub for nonprofits, arts and culture, and public gathering.

Alongside project partners Ecotope and the University of Washington Integrated Design Lab, we’ll share insights into the building’s sustainability strategies, integrated design approach, and performance goals, including how the project balances historic preservation with deep energy retrofit and community impact.

The evening concludes with a happy hour and networking session with peers across architecture, engineering, sustainability, and the built environment.

We hope to see you there!

Register here: https://bit.ly/3PbXTvN

Owner: The Satterberg Foundation
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Ecotope, Inc
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: DarkLight
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
Historic Masonry Consultant: Speweik Preservation
Envelope Consultant: RDH
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Specifications: ABI
Landscape Architect: KKLA
General Contractor: W.G. Clark Construction
Mason Contractor: Finishing Touch Masonry
Photo: Doug Walker Photography

A guided tour of the Metropole sustainable, high-performance spaces, with expert insights, happy hour, and networking.

04/08/2026

Urban Land Magazine recently featured insights from Urban Land Institute Northwest’s Adaptive Reuse Symposium, where our Founding Partner Matt Aalfs shared perspectives on the value of preserving older buildings:

“Historic buildings contribute to cultural continuity and sense of place, and that’s really important to the health of our communities. We have to do a better job of reusing and revitalizing existing structures, because we can’t build our way out of the climate crisis.”

Using projects like the Metropole Building and Green Lake Branch Library, Matt highlighted how thoughtful preservation and targeted upgrades can extend the life of existing buildings, reduce carbon impact, and support resilient neighborhoods like Pioneer Square.

Read the article:

ULI Northwest adaptive reuse symposium addresses challenges of renewing the city’s core.

04/06/2026

The Metropole Seattle is a finalist for the 2026 Vision Awards, recognizing leadership in building sustainability across our region.

Hosted by the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts Network, the Vision Awards bring together a community committed to advancing high-performance, climate-responsive buildings. It’s an honor to see Metropole included among this year’s finalists.

As part of the program, our Founding Partner Matt Aalfs will also be joining the Reframe Podcast during the awards event, sharing insights on the project and the role of adaptive reuse in addressing climate and community needs.

We look forward to celebrating with project partners and the broader community this Wednesday!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vakjha

Owner: Satterberg Foundation
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Ecotope, Inc
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: DarkLight
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
Historic Masonry Consultant: Speweik Preservation
Envelope Consultant: RDH
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Specifications: ABI
Landscape Architect: KKLA
General Contractor: W.G. Clark Construction
Mason Contractor: Finishing Touch Masonry
Photo: Doug Walker Photography

04/03/2026

We’re excited to share that The Metropole Seattle received the Gold Winner – Restoration award at the 2026 Northwest Masonry Institute Excellence in Masonry Awards.

This recognition reflects the care, craft, and collaboration behind restoring the long vacant Busy Bee and Metropole buildings, two connected 1892 structures in Pioneer Square—preserving historic sandstone and brick while supporting the project’s next chapter as a community-centered, high-performance space.

Congratulations to W.G. Clark Construction, Finishing Touch Masonry, and the rest of our project partners, and thank you to the Northwest Masonry Institute for the recognition!

Read more in the Daily Journal of Commerce: https://bit.ly/4c2QlTs

Owner: Satterberg Foundation
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Ecotope, Inc
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: DarkLight
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
Historic Masonry Consultant: Speweik Preservation
Envelope Consultant: RDH
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Specifications: ABI
Landscape Architect: KKLA
General Contractor: W.G. Clark Construction
Mason Contractor: Finishing Touch Masonry
Photo: Doug Walker Photography

03/07/2026

On March 26th, The Metropole Seattle is opening its doors as part of Historic Seattle’s Preservation Award Series.

Join us for a tour and talk with the Satterberg Foundation and BuildingWork founding partner Matt Aalfs, AIA. Over the past six years, we’ve restored this 1892 flatiron landmark and brought it back to life as an energy-efficient community hub, providing affordable space for organizations led by and serving communities of color.

Click the link to learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4sp0znt

Owner: Satterberg Foundation
Architect & Interior Design: BuildingWork
Structural Engineer: Swenson Say Faget
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering
Mechanical Engineer: Ecotope, Inc
Electrical Engineer: TFWB
Lighting Designer: DarkLight
Acoustic Consultant: SSA Acoustics, LLP
Historic Masonry Consultant: Speweik Preservation
Envelope Consultant: RDH
LEED Consultant: O’Brien360
Specifications: ABI
Landscape Architect: KKLA
General Contractor: W.G. Clark Construction
Photo: Doug Walker Photography