Alaska Airlines Flagship Lounge
At the Alaska Airlines Flagship Lounge in SeaTac International Airport, the door is always open. Travelers seek lounges as an escape from the anxiety, noise, and commotion of the concourse. Traditionally, airport lounges cater to this desire by emphasizing exclusivity: sleek, business-oriented safe havens that prioritize the needs of a privileged swath of travelers. Alaska Airlines sought to transform the lounge typology by providing a warm, welcoming space where all guests could find refuge—to relax, work, refuel, and connect—a home-away-from-home with a sense of place rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Programmatically, the lounge is conceived in four zones: Come In, an approachable entry; Help Yourself, a casual bistro; Take a Breath, a haven for peaceful relaxation; and Cut Loose, a cozy bar atmosphere. By providing a range of experiences, each guest will find a place in which they feel at home. The entry sequence begins at concourse level. A fifty-foot-wide window announces the lounge’s presence and provides enticing glimpses of the spaces within. Oak frames guide guests to a threshold, a porous transition with an inviting view of the large central fireplace. Concierges greet guests from behind a sculptural wood desk and with an illuminated topographical backdrop. A wall of twenty-foot-tall windows presents views of the runways, downtown Seattle, the Olympic mountain range, and Mt. Rainier. In Take a Breath, the noise and bustle of the concourse fade away. Guests may enjoy views of the runways and the landscape beyond from various seating options designed for the comfort of individuals or groups. High-backed, tufted fabric banquettes wind through the zone, creating semi-private nooks. Custom-designed chaise lounge recliners encourage relaxation and contemplation. Help Yourself occupies the center of the lounge and is the heart of the venue. A central monolithic bistro counter offers food and drink from all sides, spurring conversation with baristas for a flavor of Seattle’s coffee shop culture. Leather banquettes, movable tables, and fixed counters offer flexibility for families or solo travelers and ensure that guests can find privacy within the 100-seat capacity. Cut Loose allows guests to unwind and connect with fellow travelers. An intimate oval-shaped bar serves as a focal point for the space, while a variety of seating, from three-person round tables to banquettes to a large 24-seat table, provide plenty of options. In addition, a 75-foot-long bar ledge lines the window wall, providing space for guests to work or simply pass time watching the activity on the tarmac. The distinct spaces are unified with a consistent material palette of natural wood and steel finishes complemented by blues, greens, and greys, instilling the space with a Pacific Northwest feel. Custom elements throughout, such as light fixtures that recall jet engines and recycled cardboard screens at the entry, showcase local fabricators and artists. By cultivating a warm, inviting atmosphere and referencing the company’s northwest roots, the design transforms the airport lounge experience.
King County Civic Ground
King County government is tasked with providing high-quality services and protecting the places that make its region special. From human services and the health of the community to running buses, and creating housing for people of all incomes, King County government is entrusted with serving the public and–over the long haul–making sure that things the government touches are left in a better state for future generations. But at this moment, King County employees find themselves striving to maintain high levels of service in buildings that no longer support their work. The county operates a courthouse that is over a century old that no longer meets courts services needs, office buildings that are in desperate need of repair, a shuttered 1960s administration building, a low-rise parking garage, and an obsolete jail—a remnant of punitive building design—that must be reimagined. The county’s need presents challenging questions. What kinds of buildings support contemporary county services? Where should these be located? How do new facilities break from the assumptive models of past eras? The county government’s current home base is spread out across eight blocks in the urban core that constitute some of the most desirable land in the region, but the area is stagnant. This historic area, nestled between several vibrant and growing neighborhoods, can be so much more. With dramatic changes to centers of commerce led largely by remote and hybrid work, policy makers and the public are pondering the purpose of major metropolitan environments in the United States and beyond. What can a city provide for the public? What opportunities do policymakers have to revitalize and reinvigorate downtown urban centers? As stewards of the county’s resources, the county government has committed to the people it serves to do something better, to shape a future that serves the people who will call this place home for decades to come. The King County Civic Ground project outlines new, contemporary buildings and public spaces for county employees, service providers, residents, and visitors while transforming a neighborhood composed entirely of government offices into a 24-hour neighborhood with the capacity to include housing for people of all incomes and backgrounds, with gathering spaces, retail, restaurants, civic amenities, and offices that reflect the realities of living and working in a major metropolitan environment today.
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Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Seattle architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 3.4 km with 3 stops. Allow approximately 2 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Seattle architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Seattle architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Seattle architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full morning or afternoon for the complete tour.