Weber Thompson

Next time you pass by The Rise on Madison/Blake House, take a moment to notice the “little ribbons of sunshine” woven throughout the project. This small but powerful design detail was the result of a collaborative team effort and reflects the project’s story as the first affordable high-rise built in 50 years.

Our Landscape Architecture Studio spent some quality time this week at our newest (almost completed!) project in Kirkland, Modera Bridle Trails.

Connecting the community to the wildlife of Bridle Trails State Park, the project features five animal sculptures by the artist Georgia Ge**er (). It was fun to see them installed, sprinkled throughout the site’s public plazas.

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A big win for the CornerStone team at the Vision Awards! The project was honored with the Water Vision Award for its Living Building Challenge approach to rethinking how buildings use water.

Designed to meet strict Living Building Challenge requirements, the project captures rainwater onsite, stores it in a 268,745-gallon underground cistern, and reuses it for all non-potable needs like toilet flushing. This system saves about 589,000 gallons of potable water each year and reduces overall water use by 54%, exceeding the 2030 District target.

The project also shows how urban offices can strengthen communities, supporting people who live and work in the same neighborhoods while delivering benefits beyond the building itself. Seattle’s Living Building Pilot Program was key in making CornerStone possible, helping bring a highly sustainable project to market. Initiatives like this are essential to support and advance developments like these.

Thank you to the entire project team, including , , , , .usa, (Landscape), and all project partners, for your shared commitment to pushing what’s possible.

Event photo courtesy Seattle 2030 District / John Ludeman Photography
Project photos by Moris Moreno Photography

The timber pergola at CornerStone, from concept to reality.

Inspired by honeycomb geometry, the mass timber pergola marks the main entrance and supports our Petal Certification goals. Designed in collaboration with and the team selected Alaskan Yellow Cedar glulam for durability in the PNW elements, with clean connections and integrated lighting throughout. And tying it all together, four bee colonies live in a rooftop apiary!

📸 Entrance photo by Built Work Photography

At CornerStone, DLT panels removed for the atrium were repurposed as seating in the main lobby, giving the timber a new home while keeping its warmth and character alive throughout the building.

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Atrium: /OTTO
Lobby:

Next time you stop by for a Ginger Turmeric Chai, notice the standing tables near the front door and outside.

They’re made from the mass timber and concrete cores drilled out for kitchen venting, salvaged by the team and repurposed instead of discarded.

A small but telling example of how mass timber invites resourcefulness, carrying its value through every phase of the build.

📸 courtesy / Project photos by