SMR Architects

10/08/2026

𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝟱𝟬 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗯𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹
In honor of the Whatcom Housing Alliance's upcoming Housing Week, we’re stepping back to the turn of the century with today’s showcase: the historic Laube Hotel in Bellingham!

Built in 1903 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this three-story building was revitalized through a historic tax credit rehabilitation. In 2008, SMR designed the project for Bellingham & Whatcom County Housing Authorities, converting the upper floors into 20 living units across 12,120 square feet. Upgrades included new plumbing, fire sprinklers, electric heating, ventilation, an accessible laundry room, and improved commercial space.

Next week’s Affordable Housing Week features a series of in-person and online events that build awareness and support for creative approaches to the housing crisis. Learn more by clicking the link in the comments below.

See you next time for our latest feature!

10/01/2026

𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝟱𝟬 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
We are kicking off our countdown with a look back at where it all began: the Nord Building!

As SMR's very first project on record, this ground-up renovation was designed for Harley S. Sullivan to transform three vacant floors above street-level retail into seven apartments (five two-bedroom units and two studios) at 314 First Avenue South in Seattle. Highlights of this 1890s brick and wood-frame structure included a circular stair within a two-level unit, light wells to all two-bedroom units, a rooftop recreation deck, and a fireplace in every home. The project was rehabilitated for $300,000, with financing through Seattle Trust & Savings Bank and HUD Section 312.

Decades later, the Nord Building remains the foundation of our passion for adaptive reuse. Check back next week for our upcoming milestone project!

09/30/2026

𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝟱𝟬 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
In October 2027, SMR Architects turns 50! To celebrate, we’re highlighting 50 milestone projects from our portfolio of more than 200 projects that defined our firm along the way. Starting in October 2026, we’ll feature one project each week, counting down to our anniversary. From affordable housing to historic rehabilitation, each project tells part of our story and reflects the communities we’ve been fortunate to work alongside. Follow along here on Facebook or on our website!

09/25/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲, 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
Great morning at VOAWW's Hope is Brewing breakfast with our partners at Volunteers of America Western Washington and Beacon Development Group, the team behind the newly opened Ballington Flats. Thank you, VOAWW, for the invitation and all you do for our community, from providing critical housing like Ballington Flats to supporting regional efforts like the Everett Community Food Bank!

09/24/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿
What an incredible afternoon at the 2026 YWCA Seattle King Snohomish Inspire Luncheon! We left feeling energized by Laila Ali's message of strength, purpose, and impact. It's why we're proud to stand behind YWCA's mission of racial and gender justice every year. We enjoyed celebrating alongside our partners on the YWCA Lexicon project, Truebeck Construction (pictured with us here)!

09/24/2026

𝗔 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲
Yesterday, SMR was proud to attend Plymouth Housing's Key to Hope luncheon as a silver sponsor. It was a moving afternoon centered on the security and dignity of permanent housing, highlighted by keynote speaker Cheryl Strayed's reflections on perseverance and hope. Grateful to stand alongside this community working to end homelessness!

09/21/2026

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸
We're honored to see DESC's Clover Place recognized as the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce's Project of the Week! Named for longtime DESC nurse Christina Clover, this 95-unit permanent supportive housing community just south of Woodland Park provides studio apartments, a courtyard, an activity room, and dining areas for single adults exiting chronic homelessness. Congrats to the project team!

https://www.djc.com/news/co/12177831.html

09/15/2026

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
We're proud to be working with Peninsula Behavioral Health on the new Youth and Family Services Center in Port Angeles. This 15,000-square-foot facility will give kids, teens, and families across Clallam County a trauma-informed space designed for support, connection, and hope.

Imagine a place created specifically for children and families—a welcoming environment where young people feel safe, supported and understood.

PBH’s new Youth and Family Services Center will include 22 clinical offices, four group rooms and dedicated spaces for play, sensory and art therapy. Families will also benefit from a family room, community gathering space and outdoor recreation area.

Every detail is being thoughtfully designed to support healing, connection and hope.

Learn more about the vision at https://peninsulabehavioral.org/youth-center

09/14/2026

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
We are excited to announce that Birch Grove received a Merit Award at the 2026 AIA Washington Council's Civic Design Awards. This recognition honors our work transforming a former car dealership site into 120 units of permanent supportive housing, giving some of Seattle's most vulnerable residents a place to call home.

Thank you to the entire project team for their thoughtful, trauma-informed approach throughout this project, and to DESC for their ongoing dedication to serving our community. Congratulations also to this year's full slate of honorees!

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺
Owner: DESC
Contractor: Absher Construction Company
Civil Engineer: Latitude 48 Engineers
Structural Engineer: Atlas Design Group, Inc. (MBE/DBE)
M/E/P Engineer: Sider + Byers Mechanical Electrical Engineers
Landscape Architect: Fazio Associates
Building Envelope Consultant: 4EA Building Science
Acoustic Engineer: A3 Acoustics, LLP
Sustainability Consultant: O'Brien360

Birch Grove, Seattle, WA Merit Award 2026 AIA/WA Civic Design Awards Client: DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) Firm: SMR Architects Photos: William P. Wright, William Wright Photography Gallery