Art Stable is an urban infill project in Seattle's rapidly developing South Lake Union neighborhood. Built on the site of a former horse stable, the seven-story mixed-use building carries its working history into the future with highly adaptable live/work units.
"Located in a distinctive neighborhood, Art Stable is built to serve a specific purpose. As architects, we tried to come up with unique solutions based on the urban context of the project. It’s exciting to continue to visit Art Stable and see how it is becoming part of the community." - Tom Kundig, Design Principal
Both front and back elevations of the building are active. The alley-facing façade features an 80-foot, 5-inch tall hinge topped by a davit crane and five steel-clad, hand-cranked doors that cover nearly a third of the façade. The system references a warehousing tradition in how it moves oversize objects into the building. On the street side, large hinged windows open to provide natural ventilation throughout the units.
Designed to accommodate changes in use over time, the units are zoned for both residential and commercial use, and the building’s shell and core are built to last over 100 years. Geothermal loops were inserted into the building’s structural piles, resulting in an innovative and highly energy-efficient radiant heating and cooling system. This geothermal system is one of the first of its type to be implemented in the United States.
Project Team: Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal; Kirsten R. Murray, FAIA, Principal; Kevin Kudo-King, AIA, LEED® AP, Project Manager; Jim Friesz, AIA, LEED® AP, Project Manager; Jeff Ocampo, LEED® AP, Project Architect; Ming-Lee Yuan and Kevin Scott, Staff