HNTB announces program partner

HNTB has selected Furtado & Associates as the 2026 partner for its Washington-based Partners Program, a mentorship initiative that develops and empowers historically underutilized businesses in the transportation industry.

The HNTB Partners Program provides structured mentoring, workshops and networking opportunities that help small and emerging firms strengthen operations, expand capabilities and pursue new opportunities in the infrastructure sector. Through the program, participants gain direct access to HNTB leaders and subject matter experts who provide guidance on key business areas, including project delivery, operations, leadership and strategic growth.

This is the program's second year.

Since 1983, Furtado & Associates has provided consulting engineering services from its headquarters in Seattle. Originally founded as Lin & Associates, the firm adopted the name Furtado & Associates in 2021. The company specializes in land surveying, civil engineering, geographic information systems mapping, construction management and advanced technologies such as drone photogrammetry and 3D LiDAR scanning. The firm supports infrastructure projects throughout Washington, working with agencies including Sound Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the city of Seattle and regional counties.

Through the HNTB Partners Program, Furtado & Associates will participate in training sessions, workshops and mentorship opportunities designed to strengthen operational processes, leadership development and business strategy. The collaboration will also create opportunities to build stronger industry relationships and explore new project opportunities across the region.

“We are very excited to deepen our relationship with HNTB through the Partners Program in Washington,” said Joshua Cheatham, president and CEO of Furtado & Associates. “The opportunity to collaborate with HNTB leaders and experts will help us strengthen our operations as we continue to expand our services and deliver innovative infrastructure solutions across the region.”

SAF model exhibit opens April 16

Seattle Architecture Foundation will unveil its 2026 Architectural Model Exhibit to the public on April 16.

The annual exhibit celebrates the creativity of local and international designers and firms and illuminates the design process through the display of physical and digital media including models and architectural renderings, based on a yearly theme.

The 2026 theme is “Emergence.” Exhibitors will showcase the processes that bring design to life and will investigate how external forces — social, political, environmental, and others — give rise to new designs that help communities adapt to the changing world.

The exhibit is in a new location this year at MG2's Design Studio Exhibit Space at 1101 Second Ave. It will be on display through May 23.

Open hours will be weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Exhibit viewing is free during open hours.

An opening reception is planned for the 16th from 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

“We are delighted to host this event in our exhibit space and look forward to welcoming the many visitors who will come by to see it,” MG2 President Russ Hazzard said.

This is SAF's 27th architectural model exhibit. Earlier exhibits were displayed at SAF's old office at the Center for Architecture and Design on Western Avenue. SAF moved to a new office (which it shares with DCI Engineers) at 1700 Seventh Ave. last fall.

Tacoma seeks commission members

The Tacoma City Council is seeking applicants to fill four positions on the city's planning commission.

The positions are:

• Architecture, Historic Preservation, and/or Urban Design;

• Development Community;

• District No. 1; and

• Public Transportation.

The planning commission develops and updates the city's Comprehensive Plan and its elements, formulating regulations and processes for land use and development. The commission reviews various planning issues, such as area-wide zoning reclassifications, moratoria, interim zoning, pre-annexation planning, historic district designation, urban design, and transportation and capital facilities programs.

Meetings occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month beginning at 5 p.m. Commission members serve without compensation.

Applicants seeking a district position must reside in that district, and those seeking other positions must reside within the boundaries of Tacoma.

Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office by noon on April 13 at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication. Questions about the application process may be directed to Elizabeth Wing in the City Clerk's Office at servetacoma@tacoma.gov or (253) 591-5178.

Metro honored for storytelling campaign

King County Metro has won a first place APTA AdWheel Award for Best Comprehensive Campaign to Increase Ridership for its “Where to?” campaign.

“Where to?” ran from September to December 2025 and invited people to reimagine transit as a gateway to life in King County by showing real-world adventures accessible by Metro buses.

The campaign spotlighted real riders and real moments, including bike meetups, waterfront adventures, live music and game days.

Those adventures were told across a variety of marketing mediums, including social media, streaming and cable television, digital and out of home placements, influencer partnerships and community events. To reach diverse audiences, materials were translated into Spanish and simplified Chinese. Metro says ridership increased by 4% while the campaign was active.

Money available for maritime projects

After a one-year hiatus, the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area is again accepting applications for grant funding for a broad range of interpretive projects that share stories from, increase visibility of, and encourage public engagement with Washington's maritime heritage.

Established in 2023 and now in its third round, the Maritime Washington Grant Program supports projects and programs that interpret the state's unique and nationally significant maritime heritage. A total of $100,000 in grant funds will be distributed among successful applicants to aid in their maritime heritage work, with a maximum grant request of $15,000 per applicant.

The program funds nonprofit organizations, local governments, Tribes, regional educational institutions, and other entities that support the region's maritime heritage. Grants fund a range of projects including signage and exhibits, public events and educational programming, webpages, podcasts, and video-based storytelling.

Applicants must be located in one of the 13 counties within the Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, which include: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, Kitsap, Island, San Juan, Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor.

Applications must be submitted through an online form before 5:00 p.m. on April 24. Learn more and apply: https://maritimewa.org/2026-grants/

SDA event on handling stress

SDA Pacific Northwest Chapter is hosting an event on April 14 for administrative and management professionals in the A/E/C industry.

The online event will provide tips and tools for reducing chronic stress.

Scott Warrick will share a practical framework for reducing chronic stress through what he calls the three pillars of de-stressing. Warrick connects the dots between workplace culture, brain health, and everyday habits that aim to help “repair and rewire” stress patterns.

Warrick is a practicing employment law attorney, HR professional, and best-selling author. A Certified Brain Health Professional and Certified Emotional Quotient Counselor, Warrick speaks nationally on brain health, conflict resolution, harassment and bullying, leadership, and employment law.

The event is from 12 – 1 p.m. It is free for SDA PNW members, $10 for SDA members of other chapters, and $20 for non-members.

To register or for more information, contact SDA at sdapacificnorthwest@gmail.com, or visit https://sdapnw.org/event/three-pillars-destressing/

Design festival theme announced

The theme of the 2026 Seattle Design Festival is “In(flux).” Proposed as a modular theme, it aims to also include “intension, inhabit and inform.”

Exhibits and events will explore tension, movement and change.

The theme was chosen from two options by a public vote. The other proposed theme was “Threshold.” A total of 400 people voted.

The SDF 2026 call for proposals will launch in April. The festival returns in July.

Cohousing summit in Seattle May 14-17

Cohousing Association of the United States (CohoUS) is hosting a day-long summit in Seattle on Saturday, May 16 with community tours scheduled before and after. The summit intends to support the development of future cohousing communities through educational sessions and networking.

The summit aims to support people who dream of living in community, those who are already on their way to creating one, and their professional support teams. Panelists will present on cohousing and co-op development, pocket neighborhood design, and will provide tools and insights into this housing type which is quickly growing in popularity in our area. The summit is co-chaired by Grace Kim and Mike Mariano, architect founders of Schemata Workshop and founding members of Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing.

The summit also provides separate registration for site visits: a summit-opening tour and dinner at Vashon Island Cohousing on May 14; cohousing tours in Seattle on May 15 at Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing, Puget Ridge, Duwamish Cohousing and Jackson Place. On May 17 tours travel further afield to Crow Woods, north Seattle, Skagit Commons Anacortes, as well as Winslow Cohousing, Bainbridge Island, and Songaia in Bothell.

An early-bird discount is available to attendees who register by March 15. For more information and link to tickets for the summit, and separately the tours, see: https://tinyurl.com/CoHoSEA26

RFM's Parsons joins LeadingAge board

Parsons

Susie Parsons, associate principal and interior designer at Bremerton's Rice Fergus Miller (RFM), has been appointed to the LeadingAge Washington Board of Directors as a strategic director at large. LeadingAge Washington is a state trade association representing more than 140 not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations that provide housing and long-term care services to the elderly and disabled.

Parsons holds a certificate in gerontology from the University of Washington. At RFM she leads senior living design and planning for the firm's housing team. Parsons leverages her expertise in the physical, social and psychological aspects of aging to shape how the firm designs purpose-driven spaces.

In her role at LeadingAge Washington, she will help guide their efforts in retirement living and long-term care at a time when the industry seeks innovative solutions for the state's aging population.

Parsons said, “I am proud to join the LeadingAge Washington board. My goal has always been to design spaces that offer dignity, safety, and joy for people as they age, recognizing that the built environment strongly impacts quality of life. I look forward to working alongside industry leaders to advocate for the providers and residents who make up this vital community, ensuring our state's approach to aging services and care are resilient and forward-thinking.”

Environmental projects get funding

Last year, the Tree Equity Network announced a new funding opportunity – the Tree Canopy for Climate Resilience (TCCR) Grant. The program supports tree canopy and environmental youth engagement projects in King County through $5,000 - $10,000 grants.

The first round of awardees was recently announced. They include the Food Forest Collective for the Beacon Food Forest on Beacon Hill.

The collective aims to build equitable, community-led food systems. Their flagship project, the Beacon Food Forest, fills critical gaps by offering free access to organic produce, public green space, and opportunities for stewardship, education, and community care on Beacon Hill.

A total of five organizations were awarded from nine applications.

The TCCR grant program was made possible by an anonymous donation and is facilitated by Seattle Parks Foundation. Read the full list of awardees: https://tinyurl.com/TCCRGrants

CPL to open Spokane office

Seattle-founded civil and structural engineering firm Coughlin Porter Lundeen will open a Spokane office this summer. This will be CPL's first expansion in its 32-year history.

The new office will be in downtown Spokane, and will serve as a hub for the firm's growing portfolio of projects in Eastern Washington which includes Washington State University's Schweitzer Engineering Hall, completing in Spring 2026; Kootenai Health's Expansion, which breaks ground next month; and Eastern Washington University's Interdisciplinary Sciences building, which opened in 2021.

CPL's expertise spans the healthcare, infrastructure, municipal, multifamily residential, higher education and PreK-12 markets.

“Opening our Spokane office is a natural progression of our commitment to Washington's infrastructure,” Cory Hitzemann, principal at CPL, shared in a press release. “We've seen incredible growth happening east of the Cascades in regions such as Spokane and Idaho. We're excited about the potential opportunities from our physical presence and our ability to meaningfully contribute to the local economy of Spokane and the surrounding communities. This is more than just a new zip code; it's about being on the ground to solve complex civil and structural engineering challenges where our clients live and work.”

The Spokane team will be supported by the firm's headquarters in Seattle. The firm says the goal is for the Spokane location to be an extension of CPL's existing Seattle presence with the same culture and cross-collaboration it values.

CPL told the DJC that more details about the expansion, including the office's exact location and leadership, will be shared in the coming weeks. An open house for local industry partners and clients is planned for early fall.

The firm is currently hiring engineers for the new office. For more information, email humanresources@cplinc.com

Member wanted for ISRD Board

Mayor Katie Wilson is seeking a new member for the International Special Review District (ISRD) Board.

One of the board's two mayoral appointments is currently open. Candidates who have an architectural background, experience in historic preservation, and a connection to the Chinatown International District (CID) and its future are encouraged to apply.

The board plays a vital role in how the CID evolves. Board members review proposed exterior alterations, new construction, and street improvements, helping ensure that growth strengthens the architectural character, cultural heritage, and everyday life of one of Seattle's most historic communities.

The board makes recommendations to the Seattle Department of Neighborhood's director.

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 4:30 p.m. and typically last one to three hours. Members generally commit five to six hours per month. Meetings take place both virtually and in person.

The seven-member board includes five elected members and two members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by Seattle City Council.

Applicants must be Seattle residents. Board members serve without compensation.

Letters of interest and resumes must be submitted by March 2.

Those should be emailed to rebecca.frestedt@seattle.gov, referencing the International Special Review District in the subject line.

Attend a geothermal energy workshop

The state Department of Ecology is exploring the potential of geothermal energy projects in Washington, and is hosting a series of in-person workshops that will explore the opportunities and risks associated with developing geothermal energy.

There are no geothermal energy projects currently proposed for development in Washington, but the workshops provide an opportunity for early discussions about this potential clean energy source.

The workshops will be held in areas identified by the Washington Geological Survey, housed within the Department of Natural Resources, as having geothermal energy potential. Those are Mount Baker (Feb. 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.), Mount St. Helens (March 4 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.), and Wind River valley south of Mount St. Helens (March 5, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) .

Ecology is also conducting a virtual statewide event on the topic on March 17 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

More information at https://tinyurl.com/GeothermalEnergyWA

Seattle Home and Garden show returns

The Seattle Home and Garden Show returns to Lumen Field Event Center at 800 Occidental Ave. S. from Feb. 19-22.

The show is billed as “a one-stop resource” for homeowners, and will feature experts sharing ideas about housing options, home decor, design and remodeling, D.I.Y. resources, urban farms, garden offerings, and more.

The 2026 lineup includes a “tiny home” and smaller live/work buildings display, new 3D printing technologies for the building industry, and a talk on Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs).

The Seattle Home and Garden Show is presented by SkyDADU. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Tickets are $15 for adults. Children under 7 are free. Learn more: http://www.seattlehomeshow.com

Join Redmond Arts and Culture Commission

The city of Redmond is seeking applicants for two available seats on its Arts and Culture Commission. Residents with a passion for arts and culture are encouraged to apply.

The Arts and Culture Commission advises city staff and the City Council on public programs that build community, celebrate diversity, and enhance the vitality and identity of Redmond through performing, visual and participatory arts.

The current work plan for the commission includes growing the arts in Redmond through programs including the poet laureate program, cultural arts grant program, Downtown Redmond Art Walk, and more. The commission will also provide recommendations on several upcoming public art projects in the city.

Commissioners attend mandatory monthly meetings, participate on special committees, and attend public meetings and events. They cultivate community involvement around Parks and Recreation Department projects and programs and occasionally attend city council and other commission meetings.

All board and commission members are volunteers and serve three-year terms.

There is no deadline, but interested individuals are encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. on Feb. 17. The positions will remain open until filled. For questions please contact cultural arts supervisor Chris Weber at cweber@redmond.gov. Apply online: redmond.gov/Commissions

Historic Black churches get $5M

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (Action Fund), a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is awarding $1 million grants to five historic Black churches across the U.S.

The money will be used to support long-term asset management and stewardship planning so that the churches can remain “active, resilient institutions for generations to come.”

The awarded churches are: The First African Baptist Church (Beaufort, SC), Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ (Chicago, IL), Second Baptist Church (Los Angeles, CA) Mother Bethel AME Church (Philadelphia, PA), and Brown Chapel AME Church (Selma, AL).

The grants have been awarded through the Action Fund's Preserving Black Churches (PBC) program. PBC is a $60 million initiative funded by Lilly Endowment. Since its inception, the program has invested $19.5 million in 108 historic Black churches, spanning Alaska to Florida.

Board & Vellum headed to Smith Tower

Seattle-based Board & Vellum will move its headquarters to Pioneer Square's historic Smith Tower in April.

The architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture firm is relocating from Capitol Hill where it has been based for nearly 15 years.

The firm is taking over the 16th floor of the Beaux-Arts tower and will design its own tenant improvement.

In a press release, Board & Vellum said the historic building's character aligns with its “commitment to thoughtful, enduring design.” “The Smith Tower offers the kind of space that inspires great design work: historic character, abundant natural light, an incredible view, and a location that connects us to the creative and business communities that make Seattle special,” Jeff Pelletier, founder and managing principal of Board & Vellum, said.

The move marks a meaningful homecoming for the firm, whose first office was a tiny space in Pioneer Square.

“This move represents Board & Vellum coming full circle,” Pelletier reflected. “We started in Pioneer Square with a vision to create an architecture firm that truly partners with clients to bring their dreams to life. After years of growth on Capitol Hill, we're returning to where our story began, now as a multidisciplinary team designing for clients across residential, multifamily, commercial, and civic sectors.”

Board & Vellum will maintain full operations throughout the transition to its new space.

AIA Seattle is also in the process of relocating its headquarters to Smith Tower and plans to welcome the community to its new space early this year. The organization was formerly at 1010 Western Ave. at the Center for Architecture and Design, which closed late last year.

Redmond selects new poet laureate

In January, the Redmond City Council approved Nancy Mburu as the city's new poet laureate for 2026-2027.

Established in 2008, Redmond's Poet Laureate Program produces a variety of programming and community engagement opportunities offered to Redmond residents and visitors including commissioned poetry, poetry talks, readings, exhibits, and workshops. Previous poets' work has also appeared on bridges, at signature events, and in temporary art installations.

Mburu is a performing poet and author whose work explores culture, tradition, language, gender dynamics, immigration, and race through the lens of the Black diaspora. She was born and raised in Kenya. Mburu weaves storytelling and her native language, Swahili, into her poetry to examine the theme of belonging. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from the University of Washington and has honed her craft through fellowships and internships at Mineral School, Jackstraw Cultural Center and Hugo House.

“Poetry has the power to foster connections, evoke emotion, and amplify community voices,” Redmond Mayor Angela Birney said in a news release. “We are delighted to welcome Nancy Mburu as Redmond's ninth Poet Laureate, and look forward to the creative engagement she will bring to the community through poetry.”

Awards program for tall buildings

Feb. 13 is the deadline to submit your tall building projects for consideration in the Council on Vertical Urbanism's (CVU) 2026 Awards Program.

The awards recognize projects and practices that are reshaping skylines and setting new benchmarks for tall buildings and the built environment.

Since it launched 2002, the annual program has showcased work from around the world. The awards are judged by a global jury of leading practitioners and thought leaders.

More information at https://verticalurbanism.org/get-involved/awards-program/

CVU was formerly the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

You can shape the look of Auburn

The city of Auburn is updating its Citywide Design Standards. Updates are proposed for the existing multifamily and mixed-use standards.

Once adopted, the standards would apply to most new developments (including non-residential, mixed-use, and apartment buildings with seven or more units on a single lot) and building additions, remodels and site improvements, excluding interior-only work.

The city is asking for public input on the proposed updates and is hosting a Citywide Design Standards Update open house from 4 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Auburn Resource Center (2824 Auburn Way N.) City staff will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Written comments are also welcome and may be submitted by email to planning@auburnwa.gov

The draft Citywide Design Standards Update document is available for review at: https://tinyurl.com/AuburnDesignStandards