Founded by the Duwamish, Lake Union areas had been kept in their natural state for many years even after Europeans began encroachıng on the territory. Chief Chesiahud, a leader in supporting Lake Union can be credited with much of the region’s preservation, and in 2008, Seattle Parks honored his advocacy with the Cheshiahud Loop, a road encircling the lake he helped to maintain.

However, as the century progressed, the area has slowly filled with industry. Gas plants and lumber mills were established, and the mechanic remnants of passing boats and cars became a common site. Until the 1980’s the shoreline was an industrial no man’s land. Seattle Shoreline Management Act ruled into act has shifted the shoreline’s land use from industrial to commercial at South Lake Union; this led to the development of Chandler’s Cove, which, although had good intentions, proved ineffective with its confusing pedestrian access trails which greatly complicated the process of traveling to and from Lake Union Park.

Image © Ben Benschnieder, courtesy - Miller Hull Partnership

Miller Hull was selected as the architect for developing the Lake Union Piers, teaming with the client, Vulcan Real Estate, and Abbot Construction as the contractor. The team studied a range of solutions for the site, ranging from complete demolition and new construction to light-handed renovations of the existing structures. The approach that was decided on was to reuse the existing structures partially while constructing new buildings as needed. Three renovated 1980s buildings were simplified and unified with a clean exterior palette of metal panels and wood. New interventions were required to live within the existing volumes of the space, compelling the team to adopt a subtractive approach to the design process. Working this way allowed designers to declutter and simplify the existing forms by removing the extraneous details and geometry that defined the mid-80s architecture.

Drawing © Miller Hull Partnership

Estimated to generate approximately one-half of the emissions that would be produced through new construction, the reuse of these buildings positioned the team to be the first to fulfill Miller Hull’s eMission Zero initiative. Founded by Miller Hull, eMission Zero is an initiative targeting the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions incurred by the buildings designed by themselves. The success of Lake Union Pier was further solidified as the project became the first eMission Zero project in which all parties have committed to this level of offsetting, with Miller Hull, Abbott Construction, and Vulcan collectively offsetting 100% of the building’s emitted carbon.

Image © Ben Benschnieder, Courtesy - Miller Hull Partnership

At the important entries, and along the public promenade, key spaces were developed creating attraction for the users and acting as catalysts. At the northern terminus of the pier sits a new “lantern”– a transparent restaurant space defined by sweeping lake views and operable glass walls. This lantern space lives within the former volume of a reflective glass octagon that formerly held the position. A central plaza acts as a stage for both buildings, of which the performers become small-scale businesses that serve the marine clientele, activating this plaza. These suites are accessed from a new colonnade made of steel and wood that provides weather protection and material warmth to the site. The two buildings work in concert with one another to devise a new language for the site and, more importantly, to extend an active public invitation to enjoy the lakefront.

Drawing © Miller Hull Partnership

Since Duwamish, Lake Union Piers have always been synonymous with the soul of Seattle. This section of Seattle shoreline has timelessly remained at the center of the city’s essence, serving the public still today with its annual 4th of July firework demonstration, as well as its function as the gateway to the high-tech South Lake Union. Now improved Lake Union Piers will add to the improving maritime culture of the South Lake Union neighborhood while reactivating the waterfront spaces for the public to enjoy. The project links water to land even more delicately now and shines a light on an achievable pathway to carbon neutrality in the built environment.

Project facts

Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
Contractor: Abbott Construction
Structural Engineer: Coughlin Porter Lundeen (CPL)
Civil Engineer: KPFF
MEP Engineer: Glumac
Geotechnical Engineer: Geo Engineering
Landscape Architect: Hewitt
Site Branding: RMB Vivid
Envelope Consultant: RDH
Lighting Designer: Glumac

Top image © Patrick Bennet, Courtesy - Miller Hull Partnership.

Photography © Patrick Bennet, Ben Benschnieder.

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