The programming and design focus at Starling Whitehead & Lux Architects has consistently been and continues to be on creating socially-responsible and human-focused public architecture.  As all of our projects are publicly funded, we have learned that certain responsibilities come with this public trust.  We encourage input from our clients' administration, faculty, and building users, as this collection of varied perspectives enriches each design and makes it truly representative of the community for which it is intended.

Working with committees and user groups is a rewarding experience, and we fully support the process of interactive decision-making in design.  We do not believe that public buildings need to be institutional in appearance or functionality.  It is a basic tenet of our design approach that all of our buildings and projects must contribute in a positive way to their communities.

SUSTAINABILITY

Starling Whitehead & Lux Architects believes that the built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity.  Our approach to designing in a sustainable way centers on the desire to optimize system performance in an environmentally friendly, economically feasible, and socially responsible way.  While we will explore sustainable features in both the physical building and its systems, it is our belief that the most sustainable element of any project is future flexibility.  This approach prevents the premature demolition and waste of buildings that have lost their ability to serve the changing needs of the occupants within.

We work with our clients to develop economically feasible solutions tailored to the building users and the ability of maintenance personnel to operate and maintain special systems and features.  The success of our process is best measured by the comfort and productivity of building occupants, not just by reduced utility bills.

SWL Architects is a member of the US Green Building Council and has multiple LEED Accredited Professionals on staff.  Please see below for a list of our successfully designed and certified projects.

LEED Platinum

Laura Angst Hall — Science and Allied Health Building, Skagit Valley College

LEED Gold

Thurston County Readiness Center — Washington Military Department Phyllis and Charles Self Learning Commons — Whatcom Community College Charles Lewis Hall — Academic and Student Services Building, Skagit Valley College
Fire Station 28 Replacement — City of Seattle Fire Department Fire Station 38 Replacement — City of Seattle Fire Department 66th TAC Readiness Center — Washington Military Department

LEED Silver

Medical Mile Health Science Center — Bates Technical College Seattle Maritime Academy — Seattle Central College Wood Technology Center — Seattle Central College Colin Hall Addition — South Seattle College Allied Health Building — Kirkland Campus, Lake Washington Institute of Technology Salish Hall — Humanities Building, Green River College
Corporate Education Center — Redmond Campus, Lake Washington Institute of Technology Missile Assembly Building #3 — Naval Base Kitsap, United States Navy

LEED Certified

Lindbloom Student Union — Green River College

LEED O+M

Pacific Tower Health Innovations Center — Seattle Central College / WA State Dept. of Commerce

RESULTS

Starling Whitehead & Lux Architects’ strong record of quality work and professional performance is evidenced not just by design awards from our peers, but by nearly 100% of our clients awarding us additional projects.  Our record of repeat selection by our clients is indicative of the quality design and responsiveness of service provided.  Over the past twenty-eight years, we have had three institutional clients award our firm over a dozen projects each.