The Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce has named the ZGF-designed AMLI Arc Residential tower its 2017 Building of the Year. An initial call for nominations narrowed the field to 11 finalists in January, while a three-week voting period – open to the public – determined the winner. Another ZGF-designed project, the University of Washington’s Nanoengineering and Sciences building, was also among the finalists.

“Winning this award is a testament to the collaborative approach embraced by the entire project team,” said Camilla Watson, ZGF’s interior designer for the project. “At the outset, our aim was to provide a fresh, deconstructed take on the luxury residential tower model. Differentiators would include honest materiality, craftsmanship and exceptional detailing – without being too serious. Amenity spaces spread across four floors, from top to bottom, would serve as an extension of each home while promoting a sense of community and healthy lifestyles. With the building now open to residents, it’s been exciting to see this vision realized.”

Named for the shape of its top-floor amenity space, the 393-unit AMLI Arc was co-developed by Mortenson Development and AMLI Residential and built by Mortenson Construction. It was originally entitled as part of the Tilt49 mixed-used development – sharing the same block with an 11-story tower, also designed by ZGF.

At the sidewalk level, a colonnade around the project along Boren Avenue, Stewart and Howell streets offer expanded sidewalk widths and overhead weather protection to pedestrians. These streetscape elements create an identity for Boren Avenue at the nexus of the Denny Triangle, South Lake Union and Capitol Hill neighborhoods, and emphasize the corner at Stewart and Boren as a gateway to the city.

With the wellbeing of residents in mind, social interaction and a connection to the outdoors are prioritized throughout the building’s amenity spaces, which are spread across four floors. Informal lounge areas feature heavily-landscaped outdoor amenity spaces. Included is a Zen Den with a yoga studio, a large fitness center and a cyclist’s lounge that allows residents to tune up their bicycles and connect with other members of the cycling community.

Other features include a media room, co-working space, a music studio, a maker space, a community kitchen, private meeting rooms and lockers for tents and other outdoor gear. A below-grade parking structure accommodates 509 cars and is shared with Tilt49.

The interior design of the units is inspired by an ‘industrial warehouse’ theme as a tribute to the once-gritty character of the Denny Triangle neighborhood. The project mixes an assortment of textures with raw details and a rich palette drawn from the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest.

To appeal to a variety of lifestyles, AMLI Arc offers residences ranging in size from studios to three-bedroom units. Floors two through 12 include a unique deconstructed design expression. Moving upward, levels 14 through 27 feature the same appliances as the first stack, but with MEP systems concealed. Levels 28 through the level-40 penthouse units feature higher-end finishes and material, and higher ceilings.

The top-floor amenity space was designed as a “warehouse in the sky.” The entire floor is divided into a series of vignettes without walls or barriers to create an activated social space. Level 41 amenities include a terrace with fire pits, a community kitchen, a party room, game room, media room, work room and private meeting rooms.