SHKS Architects

SHKS Architects Our practice is focused on the renovation, repair and adaptation of buildings for contemporary use; Lively engagement results in extraordinary places.

We find elegance in necessity, elevating the core principles of each unique site and building project to reflect our clients’ aspirations. Through collaboration, care, craft, and discovery, we reveal architecture’s inherent optimism, contributing to our local community and to the global stewardship of natural and built environments.

Most of us will never see the work happening inside an emergency call center, but we all rely on it. We’re proud to help...
08/31/2026

Most of us will never see the work happening inside an emergency call center, but we all rely on it. We’re proud to help shape a facility that supports the people who answer the call.

SHKS Architects worked with Snohomish County 911 to transform two existing buildings into a modern, unified emergency communications facility serving the region. The project consolidated multiple departments into a cohesive environment designed to improve coordination, responsiveness, and emergency response times.

Through an extensive stakeholder engagement process, SHKS brought together administrators and staff from the agencies that occupy the facility to inform key design decisions. The renovated space includes adaptable dispatcher workstations, emergency management meeting rooms, staging areas for regional public safety units, hardened critical support spaces, and enhanced staff amenities.

Designed to LEED Silver standards, the project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation and collaboration can create resilient, high-performance environments for the people responsible for keeping communities safe.

A spot you should check out before Summer is over!For more than 126 years, Owen Beach has connected Tacoma’s communities...
08/19/2026

A spot you should check out before Summer is over!

For more than 126 years, Owen Beach has connected Tacoma’s communities to Puget Sound through swimming, beachcombing, boating, and kayaking. In collaboration with Site Workshop, SHKS Architects transformed the historic waterfront destination with improvements that expand access, support recreation, and strengthen the park’s connection to its surrounding landscape.

The project adapted an existing Civilian Conservation Corps-era comfort station into a kayak rental and storage facility and introduced a new enclosed pavilion with restrooms and flexible community gathering space. Elevated above the anticipated six feet of sea-level rise by 2090, the new structures are designed with long-term resilience in mind. The pavilion maximizes views of the bay and opens toward the promenade to encourage indoor-outdoor connections.

The design incorporates Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) roof structures, sustainably harvested timber, and naturally finished cedar siding that reflects the character of the surrounding forest. The project also reuses existing park structures, restores ecological functions, and improves access to water-based recreation for visitors of all ages and abilities.

SHKS Architects transformed the historic Stan and Joan Cross Hay and Dairy Barns, originally built in the 1920s, into a ...
08/13/2026

SHKS Architects transformed the historic Stan and Joan Cross Hay and Dairy Barns, originally built in the 1920s, into a welcoming community center as part of the development of a surrounding three-acre park. The adaptive reuse project preserves the character and history of the barns while creating flexible spaces for community gathering, meetings, and public events.

The project included relocating and reconfiguring the barns, constructing new foundations, and adding an addition to the dairy barn. Structural upgrades, new and restored windows and doors, roofing, insulation, envelope improvements, and new mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and lighting systems brought the historic structures into modern use.

Four outbuildings were selectively demolished and salvaged, with materials repurposed throughout the project to reinforce the character and story of the original barns.

Designed to be discovered, not announced. The Chambers Bay Turnstand emerges naturally from the rolling terrain.Located ...
08/04/2026

Designed to be discovered, not announced. The Chambers Bay Turnstand emerges naturally from the rolling terrain.

Located within one of the Pacific Northwest’s most celebrated golf courses, the Turnstand provides an essential gathering place for golfers while blending seamlessly into the rolling berms, native grasses, and dramatic coastline that define Chambers Bay. SHKS partnered with Pierce County to create a building that is at once functional, resilient, and deeply connected to the site’s remarkable history.

Visible from across the course yet never overpowering, the Turnstand gradually reveals itself as visitors move through the landscape. Carefully framed views toward Puget Sound, generous covered gathering spaces, and a restrained material palette reinforce the building’s quiet presence.

Looking for the perfect place to dive into your summer reading?SHKS designed an addition and renovation for the Magnolia...
06/29/2026

Looking for the perfect place to dive into your summer reading?

SHKS designed an addition and renovation for the Magnolia Library, a City of Seattle Landmark designed by Paul Kirk and Rich Haag in 1964. The project extends the connection between the building—a wood post and beam framework that brings a variety of daylight into the interior—and the surrounding landscape, where a series of “rooms” formed by native plantings create inviting outdoor spaces. A new meeting room addition, connected to the original building by a thin corridor overlooking a long garden, provides light, views, and a welcoming transition between old and new. Designed to support everything from children’s story time to community gatherings, the space reflects the library’s role as a vibrant neighborhood hub. In 2009, the library received an AIA Washington Council Civic Design Citation Award.

Washington Park ResidenceSituated along a leafy avenue in Seattle’s Washington Park neighborhood, the home welcomes visi...
06/16/2026

Washington Park Residence

Situated along a leafy avenue in Seattle’s Washington Park neighborhood, the home welcomes visitors though wrought iron gates into an entry court with stone pavers and native plantings. A roof with deep overhangs caps the stately home, while an earthly-hued stucco exterior blends the house in with its surroundings. Built in 1987, the house was purchased by a couple ready to transition from the home where they had raised their four boys, now adults. Their priorities had shifted from a plan that accommodated the whole family to an open home designed for entertaining and hosting guests.

A huge congratulations to Matt Hamel on receiving APT recognition from the Association for Preservation Technology Inte...
06/02/2026

A huge congratulations to Matt Hamel on receiving APT recognition from the Association for Preservation Technology International.

This honor recognizes Matt’s contributions to the preservation field and his dedication to the stewardship of historic places. The projects featured here represent just a few of the many efforts that helped earn this recognition, and reflect the collaboration of clients, communities, craftspeople, and project teams along the way.

We’re proud to celebrate this achievement and Matt’s ongoing work preserving places that connect us to our shared history!

Turns out sustainable transportation and competitive commute times are not mutually exclusive. May is Bike Everywhere Mo...
05/26/2026

Turns out sustainable transportation and competitive commute times are not mutually exclusive.

May is Bike Everywhere Month, and a few of our team members have been participating in rides, commutes, and everyday trips by bike throughout the month.

We’re glad to see our staff taking part in a community effort that promotes accessibility, sustainability, and a more connected urban experience!

If you’re curious about Bike Everywhere Month or want to learn how to participate, check out for rides, resources, and events happening around the region.

It’s almost Summer, and for those of you that have the “Should I live on a houseboat” dilemma like we do, here’s a past ...
05/19/2026

It’s almost Summer, and for those of you that have the “Should I live on a houseboat” dilemma like we do, here’s a past project we love:

An active retiree sought to downsize from their main residence to a smaller footprint and live more simply. SHKS Architects substantially renovated the existing structure to accommodate an active lifestyle and to take advantage of the proximity to the water, nature, skyline views, and daylight. The modest 850-square-foot living space employs design strategies to optimize a small space without sacrificing functionality or comfort. Spatial variety, flexible spaces, small and large openings, a restrained yet rich material palette, and custom furnishings activate the interior and support the owners desire to entertain, connect with nature, and relax.

The owner enjoyed the collaboration with builder, designer and craftsmen, and as the little house gradually unfolded it was evident character was abundant in the crafted details.

Spent time out of the office recently with building storage units to support their growing inventory.Their work represe...
05/04/2026

Spent time out of the office recently with building storage units to support their growing inventory.

Their work represents sustainability, equity, and community, keeping furniture in circulation and making it accessible to households that need it most. It’s a mission we’re glad to support.

If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, they’re doing meaningful work worth checking out - thank you for having us!

Address

1050 N 38th Street
Seattle, WA
98103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12066759151

Website

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