9North

Situated in the core of South Lake Union, the lab-ready office building 9North sets itself apart with a convergence of the natural and built environments in a bustling urban setting.

Client Name

Shorenstein

Location

Seattle, WA

Services

Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Interior Design

Completion Date

Construction start anticipated 2025

PROJECT Overview

8 Stories
123,595 GSF
18,000 SF Site
115,000 SF Commercial / Biotech
995 SF Ground-Level Retail
7,600 SF Outdoor Terrace / Deck Space
59 Below-Grade Parking Stalls / 6 EV Stalls

Certifications

Pursuing LEED Gold

Contacts

Kristen Scott
Principal in Charge

Rachael Meyer
Landscape Architecture Principal

Bernadette Kelly
Interior Design Principal

Rendering of 9North office building in South Lake Union

renderings: bogza / weber thompson

Urban erosion & biophilic textures

The skin of the building pulls inspiration from the natural process of erosion, a powerful force driven in the Pacific Northwest by glaciers, rivers, and oceans that carve away at the landscape beneath. 9North’s entire northern façade is “eroded” away with stepping decks that wrap around each corner. The façade’s transparency is dynamic, based on a gradient, increasing in density towards the south as it reaches the property line. Composite wood soffits contrast with the extensive glass and highlight shifts in massing, while stone plinths and fiber cement panels provide natural texture.

Decks all the way down

Along with a large, shared rooftop amenity, every floor has additional decks and terraces, providing tenants a direct connection to fresh air.

9North Landscape Architecture

From elegant stormwater features to green street retail terraces, 9North encourages a connection to the outdoors at every level.

Green street terrace

A stepped setback on Thomas Street – a city-designated green street – creates room for vegetation and retail terraces, forging open space that the public and building tenants can enjoy.

A stormwater showcase

Showcasing the flow of stormwater onsite, an elevated runnel feature on the rooftop terrace displays water cascading down a sheet of perforated metal. An additional ground-level stormwater planter along Thomas Street integrates public bench seating. All streetscape planters have curved corners to maximize traffic circulation within the site and to create a softer feel from all directions.