Swenson Say Faget

05/29/2026

As Preservation Month comes to an end, we would like to share just a small handful of our Preservation work that has left an impression on us over the last few years. We are grateful and humbled by the opportunity to foster lasting impact in our communities and to continue preserving and championing the local character and original architecture through thoughtful structural design.

University Cooperative School: CAST architecture
Green Lake Library: BuildingWork
Baker Clubhouse: SHKS Architects
1617 Boylston: Graham Baba Architects

05/18/2026

Preservation Month seems like the perfect time to share this resource, which highlights what we’ve always said: SSF are retrofit experts here to assist building owners in retrofitting and reclassifying their URMs!:

Every May, Building Safety Month, led by the International Code Council, highlights the people, practices, and policies that keep our communities safe. In Seattle, one of the most important building safety efforts underway is reducing the risk posed by unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, older bri...

05/11/2026

Voting is open for the 14th Annual Architizer A+Awards, and West Canal Yards, our project with Graham Baba Architects, has been named one of five finalists worldwide in the Architecture + Renewal category! Vote through the link in our bio.

West Canal Yards is the renovation and adaptive reuse of two existing industrial seafood warehouses along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, just east of the Ballard Bridge. Building 1100 adds a second floor to the east portion of the former cold storage building, increasing the structure from 104,000 SF to 132,000 SF. SSF’s structural scope included a complete seismic retrofit, support for new exterior wall fenestration, and new canopies, ramps, custom stairs, and a roof deck.

The project reflects a thoughtful approach to adaptive reuse, transforming existing industrial buildings for new uses.

Photography: Ed Sozinho

05/11/2026

Voting is open for the 14th Annual Architizer A+Awards, and iolair, our project with GO'C , has been named one of five finalists worldwide in the Gallery & Exhibition Spaces category. Vote through the link in our bio!

iolair is a foundation dedicated to bringing artists from around the world to live, create, and share their work with the local community and beyond, drawing inspiration from the unique landscape of Orcas Island. The residency includes a wood-framed artist-in-residence studio and gallery space with large roof overhangs and thin metal canopies. It includes a working loft over the gallery studio, a small kitchen, two bathrooms, and a private sleeping room. The L-shaped building provides a courtyard for outdoor installations and a gathering space.

Photography: Kevin Scott

05/05/2026

We’re proud to share that Metropole Seattle received the 2026 Vision Award for Embodied Carbon!

Located squarely in the Pioneer Square Preservation District, the Metropole Building is the adaptive reuse of a historic gem into a LEED Platinum facility for nonprofit organizations that serve or are led by communities of color. BuildingWork and W.G. Clark Construction worked with the owner, Satterberg Foundation, to restore the original building and create a two-story addition at the south end, resulting in office space for eight nonprofits, a 1,500 SF rooftop penthouse, and a daycare center.

SSF designed a seismic bracing system that preserves the historic facade while providing the interior structure needed for modern use. The project’s adaptive reuse approach, community-centered program, and impressive EUI of 18 reflect the climate responsibility recognized by this new award category.

04/27/2026

SSF is hiring! If you or someone you know is a CAD technician or structural engineer looking for a new career opportunity or a change of pace, contact us. Whether you are just starting out or an industry veteran, and looking for great work-life balance, excellent benefits, and awesome coworkers, visit the link in our bio or send a resume to [email protected].

SSF is an award-winning structural engineering firm founded in 1995, with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, and Ellensburg. We have extensive experience in new construction, renovations, adaptive reuse, historic renovations, and seismic retrofits for public and private clients alike. Our portfolio includes, but is not limited to, single-family affordable, multi-family housing, commercial, public, and community projects. If this sounds like the kind of team you’d like to be part of, we’d love to hear from you!

04/20/2026

It’s National Library Week 📚 and we’re proud to recognize SSF’s extensive library experience across Washington. From new facilities to renovations and seismic upgrades, we’ve provided structural engineering services for libraries that support learning, connection, and community. We’re always glad to contribute to spaces that continue to serve as valuable resources for people of all ages.

Photo 1: Langley Library, MSR Design, Benjamin Benschneider Photography
Photo 2: Darrington Library, MSR Design, Benjamin Benschneider Photography
Photo 3: East Kent Library, Fivedot, Clearly O'Farrell
Photo 4: Green Lake Library, BuildingWork, Lara Swimmer

04/13/2026

After 45 years spent strengthening and preserving many of the region’s most iconic buildings, Dan Say, PE/SE, founding principal of SSF, is retiring. Thank you, Dan, for bringing your passion, levity, and sincerity to everything you do. You will be missed very much!

Read the full press release here: https://ssfengineers.com/dan-say-retires/

And give Dan your best wishes on his LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/gNBcmdzx

04/06/2026

SSF is hiring! If you or someone you know is a structural engineer, whether just starting out or an industry veteran, and is looking for great work-life balance, excellent benefits, and awesome coworkers, visit https://ssfengineers.com/careers/ or send a resume to [email protected].

SSF is an award-winning structural engineering firm founded in 1995, with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, and Ellensburg. We have extensive experience in new construction, renovations, adaptive reuse, historic renovations, and seismic retrofits for public and private clients alike. Our portfolio includes, but is not limited to, single-family affordable, multi-family housing, commercial, public, and community projects. If this sounds like the kind of team you’d like to be part of, we’d love to hear from you!

03/30/2026

Adaptive reuse guided the renovation of 2607 Second in Belltown, an existing three-story heavy timber and concrete building that serves as Vitus headquarters, along with office and retail tenant space. SSF teamed with Graham Baba Architects on the project, which included a seismic retrofit with a buckling restrained braced frame and two reinforced concrete shear walls, along with a new rooftop penthouse and east and west roof decks supported by wood trusses and steel beams and posts. A thoughtful renovation that gives an existing building renewed purpose!

Photographer: Ross Eckert Photo

03/24/2026

SSF had such a great time attending and sponsoring the SMPS Pacific Regional Conference in Seattle this past weekend. It was a fun and inspiring few days connecting with so many passionate marketing, communications, and business development professionals from across the AEC industry. We’re especially proud of our Associate Principal, Heidi Maki, for serving as one of the 2026 PRC Conference Chairs. She did a fantastic job, and we are so incredibly proud of her and all of her hard work. We know how much time and effort went into planning and executing this conference. Congratulations to Heidi and the entire team of volunteers who made SMPS PRC 2026 such a success!