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Olson Kundig expands into Midwest with new Chicago office

2024-06-11T16:42:00-04:00

Olson Kundig has expanded into the Midwest market with a new Chicago location that bridges its already bi-coastal New York and Seattle operations after 57 years in the industry. The firm will now work out of a new space in the city's Fulton Market there and says their move will precipitate a new central hub for global business while supporting a growing body of work locally that began twenty years ago.

"Chicago is recognized around the world for its trailblazing design. For over 150 years, Chicago architects have carved out a reputation for big thinking and an ability to reimagine our built world,” founder Tom Kundig said in a press announcement. “We are honored to join this incredible community of designers, makers, and creatives.”

Previously on Archinect: Olson Kundig is expanding to New York City after six decades in Seattle

His colleague Kirsten Ring Murray added: “We have always worked globally, and across building types. Expanding to Chicago, a vibrant city with a historic cu...

Job opportunities at Olson Kundig offer insight into the role of marketing in design

2023-04-26T12:31:00-04:00

Following last week’s look at an opening for an Associate Director of Cultural Planning, Design, and Placemaking at DVDL, we are using this week’s edition of our Job Highlights series to explore open positions on Archinect Jobs for Senior Marketing and Proposal Coordinators at Olson Kundig Architects.

The roles, based in the firm’s New York City and Seattle offices, call for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or a related field, with a minimum of 5-8 years of industry experience. Among the responsibilities of the successful candidate will be to lead and support bid processes, develop written content for a range of marketing materials, and identify new business prospects.

Why these roles interests us

The latest roles at Olson Kundig come exactly one year after the firm expanded to New York City from its Seattle headquarters, where it has been based since 1966...

Olson Kundig is expanding to New York City after six decades in Seattle

2022-04-29T14:04:00-04:00

The Big Apple is picking up a West Coast vibe after Olson Kundig’s announcement that it will be expanding its operation into New York City for the first time.

The award-winning firm has been in business since 1966, operating out of a renovated space in Seattle’s old Shoe Factory Building since the project’s completion in 2003.

Olson Kundig's new East Coast outpost will be located on the tenth floor of a historic Jazz Age building located in Midtown’s Bryant Park neighborhood. The office features a central collective space called The Living Room, which is anchored by a particularly PNW import personally designed by Tom Kundig with built-in turntables from Seattle icon Sub Pop Records.

Olson Kundig's Seattle headquarters. Image courtesy Olson Kundig.

“While Olson Kundig previously occupied a small workspace in New York, this new office represents a more significant investment in office space and participation with the design culture of the city,” CEO and principal Hemanshu Parwani expl...

Inside Olson Kundig’s LeBron James Innovation Center for Nike

2021-10-05T14:01:00-04:00

Nike has offered a glimpse inside the Olson Kundig-designed LeBron James Innovation Center, located in Beaverton, Oregon. The 750,000-square-foot facility, which opened this week, will be used by the global sports brand as a base for research, prototyping, and testing for both data analysis and products.

Image via Nike

The building will house 700 employees dedicated to material and product innovation. Outside, a 500-foot-long 15% incline ramp folds down to an entrance plaza underneath the building’s imposing cantilever. The interior, in addition to housing a state-of-the-art sports research lab, features a restaurant named after LeBron’s mother Gloria Marie James, complete with a mural depicting highlights of the sports star’s career.

Image via Nike

The cantilevering top floor of the center hosts the Nike Sports Research Lab, an 84,000-square-foot facility, home to the world’s largest motion-capture installation with 400 cameras. The lab also houses a full-size NBA basketball court, ...

Olson Kundig transforms the Bay Area Discovery Museum into an immersive, research-driven learning environment for the 21st century

2021-07-20T15:11:00-04:00

A campus-wide renovation of the Bay Area Discovery Museum is finally complete, providing a much-needed upgrade to the 30-year-old institution that emphasizes a new approach to museum programming and early childhood education.

The $18.5 million project was overseen by Olson Kundig, who transformed the Fort Baker campus into an immersive center for learning while maintaining the architectural integrity of surrounding Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The firm has also recently completed an elaborate Noah’s Ark-themed children’s museum in Berlin.

Courtesy Olson Kundig

The firm installed five new permanent exhibitions, a STEM classroom, and activity spaces in addition to repurposing two existing buildings in an expanded master plan that incorporated research-driven methodologies and a focus on experiential learning.

Courtesy Olson Kundig

“We know that children are not exposed to design and engineering at an early enough age, so BADM’s mission to introduce STEM concepts through play ...

Olson Kundig designs new mixed-use high-rise along Atlanta's BeltLine

2021-05-21T13:57:00-04:00

A new mixed-use high-rise development designed by Olson Kundig is currently under construction along Atlanta’s BeltLine. Led by developer New City, LLC, 760 Ralph McGill Boulevard is a 1.1 million-square-foot project that includes office space and street-level retail organized around a central public plaza. The project, which is located on the site of a former Georgia Power operations center, also includes HKS as executive architect and Brasfield & Gorrie as general contractor.

760 Ralph McGill Boulevard is currently under construction along Atlanta's BeltLine. Photo: Google Maps/Luke Canan

“We’ve always felt this unique site gave us the opportunity to do something truly iconic,” says Jim Irwin, president of New City, LLC. “The new buildings expand local civic and cultural amenities, as well as introducing a modern new workplace for our future tenants.”

760 Ralph McGill Boulevard was designed to create new urban connections between Old Fourth Ward Park and the rapidly revitalizing A...

Olson Kundig-designed Los Angeles residence captures panoramic views of L.A.

2020-02-17T12:00:00-05:00

This Olson Kundig-designed Hollywood Hills West retreat, called "Collywood," sits just over the Sunset Strip and overlooks Los Angeles, offering panoramic views stretching from the San Gabriel Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. A seamless connection between the interior and exterior of the home was an essential part of the design criteria provided by the client.

The main level of the residence contains the kitchen, dining and living areas, and a series of retractable window walls that give occupants unobstructed access to the outdoor terrace spaces that encircle the home. "Because the home is located in California, there’s a strong indoor/outdoor connection. Terraces become outdoor living areas and indoor rooms open up completely, almost erasing the line between inside and outside," said Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA in a statement.

The main terrace adjacent the dining and living areas lead to a swimming pool that overlooks the L.A. city skyline. As one moves to the upper levels, the master...

Olson Kundig's Vermont Cabin captures the essence of its surrounding landscape

2020-01-23T11:46:00-05:00

Situated within a rural Vermont landscape, amongst white pines and maple trees, this Olson Kundig-designed cabin seeks to bring a family into closer connection with one another and the surrounding forests. "This is an intentionally straightforward and economical cabin where the family can come together and take part in the adventure of engaging with the natural landscape just outside," said Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA about the project.

With a modest 750-square-foot footprint, the three level cabin combines economy and materiality with a fluid functionality. Steel, wood, and concrete articulate the structure's character and connectedness to the surrounding wilderness. The lowest level engages the site and holds the garage that also functions as a game room in addition to a bedroom and powder room; the middle level contains the main entry along with two small bedrooms and a bathroom; and the top level consists of one large living area.

"We embraced the client’s challenge of maintaining de...

Olson Kundig unveils new images of Seattle's Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

2020-01-09T11:47:00-05:00

Seattle-based Olson Kundig has unveiled new images of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle. Opened late last fall, the project challenges the traditional approach to museum design. Instead of concealing back-of-house operations, the design team, led by Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, exhibited these spaces before the public. Arrayed sections of floor-to-ceiling glazing allow visitors to witness the inner-workings of the museum as the design connects collections and research labs with traditionally designed gallery spaces.

"We wanted to create a simple, beautiful, rational and flexible building that will serve the Burke for hundreds of years. It is an inviting place not only for the public, but also for the scientists, researchers and curators of today and tomorrow," said Kundig about the project.

Olson Kundig's Seattle Space Needle restoration shines in new photos

2019-10-15T19:58:00-04:00

A collection of new images have been unveiled by the architects at Olson Kundig highlighting the firm's recent restoration and renovations of the Seattle Space Needle.

The $100 million revamp made its debut in 2018 and was overseen by Olson Kundig Design Principal Alan Maskin. This project was discussed with Alan when we had him on the podcast...

Conceived in close work with Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board, the cutting-edge redesign includes 196-percent more glass coverage than before while also featuring improvements that "make the original structure more legible and provide visitors with a widened lens of the stunning city and surrounding landscape," according to a press release.

Image courtesy of Hufton & Crow.

The renovations include the addition of floor-to-ceiling glass panels along the structure's observation level where a revolving glass floor is also located. The glass f...

Olson Kundig's Alan Maskin on Icons and Architecture for Children

2019-04-30T12:48:00-04:00

This week Ken and I are joined by Alan Maskin, partner and co-owner of Seattle-based Olson Kundig. Alan shares his story growing up on the East Coast, working as an artist and arts educator before moving onto architecture school in his 30s. He tells us about how he finally landed a job at Olson Kundig after 4 failed job applications, and then strategically moved his way out of his initial role of IT manager. He provides insight into what it took to move up in the firm, eventually becoming a partner and co-owner, and what kind of qualities Olson Kundig looks for when hiring new talent that fits well with time-crafted firm culture.

The Century Project for The Space Needle | Design Principal, Alan Maskin | Project Architect, Blair Payson, LEED AP. Photograph © Nic Lehoux

Of course, we also talk about his work, including the highly publicized renovation of Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, and some recent projects he has designed for children and families. We even get his thoughts on two to...

Seattle's Space Needle reopens after major renovation—now sporting a rotating glass floor

2018-08-08T14:52:00-04:00

Those who have a fear of heights might not want to look down next time you go up to the Space Needle. One of the centerpieces of the landmark’s massive remodel, designed by Olson Kundig, is now complete: a rotating glass floor, allowing visitors to look down at the 500 feet between them and the ground.

After receiving a massive $100 million Olson Kundig-designed makeover, the 55-year-old Seattle icon recently reopened to the public with an improved visitor experience, enhanced views (floor-to-ceiling glass panels further opened up the 360-degree views of the Puget Sound), and, what it claims to be, the world's first and only revolving glass floor.

"Oh look, there's our car!" Photo courtesy of John Lok and Space Needle LLC.

"Through the glass floor, guests are able to see the mechanics of the turntable, which consist of a series of 12 motors," explains the project description. "The power transmission relies on rolling peg gears to minimize friction and wear."

Seattle's Space Needle is getting a makeover: new renderings revealed

2017-10-04T14:36:00-04:00

Seattle's 55-year old landmark Space Needle is undergoing a $100 million renovation headed by Seattle-based design firm Olson Kundig. The venture's aim is to reveal the historic tower’s internal structure and harken back to the original concept sketches, all while expanding and improving the Space Needle’s iconic views and guest experience.

Image Credit: Olson Kundig

Enhancing the iconic view involves the addition of a lot of glass—176 tons to be exact will be added to the Observation Deck and restaurant level. Expanding the views by more than 25%, the observation deck above the restaurant will feature floor-to-ceiling glass panels on the interior and exterior to enhance the 360-degree views. At the restaurant level, the tables, chairs, windows, and rotating floor of the reimagined space will all be made of glass.

Construction began earlier in September with the impressive installation of a 28,000 pound platform 400 feet in the air to rest in place just below the Space Needle’s Top...

An avenue, a promenade, a colonnade, not a terrible new structure

2017-04-18T12:31:00-04:00

When the decision was made at the beginning of 2014 to relocate the Kirkland Museum, Hugh Grant, the institution’s founder, insisted that the studio be moved to the new site along with the collections...The old studio is attached to the new construction via a glass curtain wall...One striking feature that will also be in the back is the original outhouse, with its marble toilet, which Grant had moved from the original site;

Last month, Michael Paglia got a peek at the Kirkland Museum's incomplete interior. The tour was led by Jim Olson, a partner with Olson Kundig architects; Martha Rogers, also from Olson Kundig; and included several others who are intimately involved in the design and construction of the promising new building.

A Canadian developer is building an enclave of world-class architecture in the Alberta foothills

2017-02-22T12:26:00-05:00

Ian MacGregor, the president and chief executive of North West Upgrading Inc. and a self-described “guy who works in the oil business”, is reportedly planning to fund and develop a cluster of architectural icons in the idyllic foothills of Alberta. Dubbed the Carraig Ridge, the community will be located between Cochrane and Canmore. Already, the 650-acre site hosts “the Rock House” designed by Seattle-based architect James Cutler of Cutler Anderson Architects.

MacGregor, compelled by the beauty of the region, says he bought the $20-million site to avoid its division into a series of smaller parcels. Despite his profession, the developer is committed to preserving the area’s environment. He brought some notable conservation planners, including Randall Arendt and Christopher Alexander, to scope out the site.

Now, the development will host 44 lots between two and five acres. Each parcel is priced at $1.05 million—unless you’re willing to put up an extra million to get a sleek home de...

Fairy Tales 2017: Blank Space launches fourth annual architecture storytelling competition

2016-09-07T03:00:00-04:00

This post is brought to you by Blank Space.

After the record breaking success of last year’s competition which drew over 1,500 participants from 67 countries, Blank Space is excited to announce that the 2017 edition is open for registration. Now in its fourth year, Fairy Tales is the largest annual architectural competition in the world.

Blank Space is proud to partner with the National Building Museum and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) along with Archinect, Bustler, Archdaily, and DesignMilk. The competition will be capped with a special celebration at the National Building Museum in February 2017 for all winners, participants, jurors and VIPs.

Fairy Tales is open to all, and invites architects, designers, writers, artists, engineers, illustrators, students and creatives to submit their own unique architectural fairy tales. A successful entry crafts a text narrative, along with 5 images, in the most spectacular way possible.

“Every week or two we are approac...

Olson Kundig will design the Noah's Ark-themed Children's Museum for the Jewish Museum Berlin

2016-08-03T20:25:00-04:00

Noah's Ark will be brought to life once again in the upcoming Children's Museum on the Jewish Museum Berlin campus. The Jewish Museum Berlin Foundation launched an invite-only international competition this past January wherein participants added their own spin in incorporating the biblical story in their proposals. Late last month, Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects won the commission. Berlin-based Staab Architekten won second place, while Michael Wallraff ZT GmbH of Vienna received third.

Authored by Olson Kundig owner and principal Alan Maskin, their team's approach to the concept ultimately won the jury's favor with its playful depiction of the essential themes of the Children's Museum. Visitors both young and old will get to experience the museum as if they were Noah, exploring the space through interactive and imaginative installations that tailor to kids ages 5-12 years old.

“The design by Olson Kundig has the potential to unpack the biblical story in all its relevance, ...

Tom Kundig interviewed by The Wall Street Journal: "he always starts with the idea of intimacy"

2015-10-29T15:17:00-04:00

[Kundig] builds houses that look like rustic jewels atop glacial rock in the Cascade Range of Washington state, or along the San Juan Islands waterfront or in the California high desert. Typically made of some combination of weathered wood, concrete and rusted steel, the structures also include generous stretches of glass [...] The son of Swiss émigrés, Mr. Kundig was strongly influenced by the rugged topography of the Pacific Northwest, where he was raised.

Olson Kundig Architects’ renovations for Tacoma Art Museum to begin in late October

2013-10-16T19:22:00-04:00

Olson Kundig Architects' renovation project for the Tacoma Art Museum in Washington is set to begin later this month. [...] The 16,000 sq.foot project consists of a new wing and building expansion that will double gallery space—including housing the Haub Family Collection of Western American Art—and therefore enhance visitors' art experiences and the museum's overall significance in downtown Tacoma.

Tom Kundig on the Frey House II

2012-03-16T18:09:00-04:00

Mr. Kundig first visited Frey House II about 25 years ago. "The design is a bit strange, but it completely resonated with me," he said. "I'm influenced by architecture that toes the line between rugged and beautiful, that demonstrates how they can be the same thing." He notes that Mr. Frey's simple design nodded to the local vernacular of humble miners' shacks.

Cabins by Olson Kundig Architects

2011-11-26T13:16:31-05:00

Seattle's Olson Kundig Architects has carved a niche for itself designing contemporary cabins that are cozy when occupied and secure when vacant. Here's a collection of their creations, starting with Delta Shelter, built in Mazama, Wash., in 2005.