| Historic Name: |
Seattle-First National Bank |
Common Name: |
Technical Analysis, Inc. |
| Style: |
Modern - Curtain Wall |
Neighborhood: |
West Seattle Junction |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1961 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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This building was designed in 1961 as a branch of the Seattle First
National Bank by Paul Thiry (1904-1993), one of Washington’s most noted
architects of the period. The building reflects the Modernist approach to bank
design, with large expanses of glass and concrete and accommodations for the
automobile. It dates from the era when the bank was building its new downtown
headquarters, one of the city's first true skyscrapers, which opened in 1969.
Although the lower level has been altered, it remains a notable example of a
Modernist bank.
Thiry's early work consisted of Tudor and Colonial Revival houses, but
after traveling abroad in the 1930s he pioneered the use of the new
International Style for private homes. After World War II his practice expanded
to include museums, churches, libraries and schools. Thiry was the master
planner for Century 21, the Seattle World’s Fair, overseeing design and
construction of the fair’s buildings.
Thiry was particularly interested in experimental concrete technology, which
is evident in this building. It is shown dramatically in the Seattle Center
Coliseum (now KeyArena). Other extant Thiry works are the Northeast Branch of
the Seattle Public Library (1954), Cedar Park Elementary School (1958), the
Washington State Library (1954-59) in Olympia and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox
Church (1964-68).
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| Appearance |
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This distinctive building
sits on a sloping corner lot with parking to the north and rear. It is of
reinforced concrete construction with a flat roof with wide overhangs. Most of
the building has expansive windows with aluminum sash, with colored aluminum
panels below the windows. The entry is on the east façade, approached by a wide
concrete ramp. This wall is mostly glass, sheltered by a very wide roof
overhang. The north façade, facing a parking lot, has large glass windows on
the east half, with concrete screens at ground level for ventilation; the rear
half is concrete with smaller windows placed high on the wall. On the west façade, facing the parking lot, the
upper level is entirely glass, while the lower level is concrete with no
openings. On the south façade, facing the street, the eastern half is concrete
with no openings; the west half has large windows with concrete below.
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| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Concrete |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Flat with Eaves, Shed |
Roof Material(s): |
Asphalt/Composition, Metal |
| Building Type: |
Commercial/Trade - Financial Institution |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
| Structural System: |
Concrete - Poured |
No. of Stories: |
one |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Slight |
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Changes to Windows: |
Intact |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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West Seattle Herald. West Side Story, 1987.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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King County Assessor Property Characteristics Report, database at http://www5.metrokc.gov/ --parcel locator
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