October 21, 2021
In Seattle, a 1960s Roadside Motel Gets a 21st-Century Update
Stripping away layers of accretions, the light, bright revamped lobby centers on a new feature stairway, with glass railings allowing jetliner views out onto an expansive new ipe deck overlooking the streetscape below. “We were thinking outwardly, at the city scale,” says Wittman. “Focusing on the new terrace helped build external connections, making the building more transparent and flexible.”
The 52 guest rooms have also been updated, with new custom plywood furniture that prioritizes durability. “Beauty without practicality is just a waste,” says Neha Nariya, conveying the Modernist spirit driving the design. Outside, a new neon sign caps the hotel, injecting a dash of retro-futurism that still manages to feel iconic.
Ultimately, Wittman and Neha Nariya embraced the building’s midcentury bones. “This era of building is easier to adapt for future use,” explains Wittman. “You can preserve the frame, while allowing nature, human use, and function to evolve the infill over time.”
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