US Bank Center, Seattle
Project - Ref: 26A
Location - Seattle, WA
Product(s) - Bespoke wall surfaces
Designer - SKB Architects
Photographer - Andrew Giammarco
Instagram - skbarchitects
The US Bank Center in downtown Seattle, designed by SKB Architects, redefines the traditional Class A office environment by introducing warmth, texture, and natural materiality through the use of bespoke wood from Havwoods. Moving away from the typical palette of hard, reflective surfaces, the project integrates wood across key architectural elements including custom planters, a feature staircase, and interior wall applications. Developed in close collaboration with the design team, the tailored finishes and subtle hand-crafted detailing enhance both the visual and sensory experience of the space. With sustainability at its core and a focus on human-centered design, the result is a refined, welcoming workplace that balances sophistication with a strong connection to nature.
Bringing Warmth to a Corporate Landmark
A Public Retail Experience Rooted in Warmth
At the heart of downtown Seattle, the US Bank Center has been reimagined as a vibrant, public-facing retail and hospitality destination. Designed by SKB Architects, the project transforms the ground plane of a traditional Class A office tower into an inviting, human-centred experience that encourages people to gather, dwell, and connect.
Designing for Experience
Custom planters, clad in wood, replace the expected stone or concrete, softening the environment and creating a more tactile, welcoming atmosphere. “Planters usually in this environment would be made out of a stone or a concrete, but we chose wood,” says Kyle Gaffney, founding partner of SKB Architects.
Wood is also used across the grand staircase, interior wall applications, and bespoke platforms that support planting installations throughout Cedar Hall, reinforcing a consistent material language across the space.
A Destination Within the City
The US Bank Center now operates as more than just an office building, it is a destination. Through the strategic use of bespoke wood and biophilic design elements, the project creates a warm, textural, and inviting retail environment that enhances the urban experience.
As Gaffney concludes, “I know in future projects they’d be a go-to for us.”
