A Modern Marvel: Skyglass Apartments
Towering above Seattle like an elegant but forceful wave is Skyglass Apartments, a 31-story new construction project of apartment units in the South Lake Union neighborhood. Skyglass is a masterful example of what happens when innovation meets artistry. Referred to as the “cloud tower,” Skyglass is design firm Hewitt’s latest project in the city. Founded in 1975, this local firm “endeavors to evoke strong, positive emotional responses within the complexities of urban life.”
Skyglass is the sort of building that stops tourists and residents alike in their tracks as they crane their necks to take in the unique form against the sky. Hewitt’s architects were inspired by the region’s striking natural features, like Elliott Bay and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, the way the position of the sun affects the appearance of a project, and the power of movement. The reflective glass on the exterior of the tower catches the light and serves as both the mirror and the image—displaying the city’s iconic landmarks and famous surrounding natural beauty. Called “vision glass,” it is the combination of two different types of glass. The tower is built so that it remains aesthetically interesting whether you’re at the front steps, looking directly up at the tall form, or off in the distance, viewing it from further back or from perhaps the top of another high rise.
Principal Julie Nagele said, “We were interested in making a tower that moved,” about the tower’s one-of-a-kind angles. “We were interested in wall area. We were interested in how that could lead to a variety of spatial qualities depending upon if sections of the tower were tilting towards the street versus sections of the tower that would tilt towards the sky.” From the very beginning of Hewitt’s remarkable design process of this project, starting with the models they used to display the potential of a project that must be seen to be appreciated, they understood how important setting was when carrying out their distinctive vision.
Its unique form called for a special stabilizing base. The tower’s “podium” serves as a block beneath the undulated form that sits on top of it. For those who are interested in living in this 338-unit marvel with Space Needle and water views, you can schedule a hard-hat tour by appointment and be amongst the first to view the project as it heads towards its completion.
In a place like Seattle, filled with innovative individuals looking to leave a lasting mark on the city that adds to its unique identity, the residential new construction industry is a fascinating example of how today’s visionaries are seamlessly merging livability with design. If you’d like to discuss this project or other exciting new construction projects in the area, please reach out to me.