Studio Meng Strazzara Celebrates Promotions

Studio Meng Strazzara is proud to announce the promotion of several employees to leadership positions:

• Principal: Tony Fan, AIA, LEED AP

• Associate Principal: Kris Feliciano, AIA; Robert Landa, RA, LEED AP; Bryant Draper

Tony Fan began his career with SMS in 1997. With more than 25 years of experience, Tony provides feasibility studies, design development solutions, and construction documents for public and private projects. He is an essential member of SMS who is a dedicated advocate to clients and a reliable mentor to staff.

Kris Feliciano has contributed to a variety of mixed-use and education projects during her 10 years with the firm. She guides projects from design through construction, working with clients, consultants, and contractors to bring visionary projects to reality. Her work on The Little School recently received a Merit Award from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) Washington Chapter.

Robert Landa maintains a focus on constructability, regularly working with teams to simplify complex designs into buildable elements. With more than 20 years of diverse design experience, he takes creative ideas and applies practical solutions while honoring each design’s intent.

Bryant Draper has been designing public facilities for more than 20 years. He excels at balancing life-cycle costs with aesthetics. By prioritizing durability and sustainability, his designs provide long-term value to public clients, helping them fulfill their fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.

“We have built a culture that celebrates diversity, fosters creativity, and promotes initiative,” said President Charles Strazzara. “This new leadership is a reflection of that. I am excited to continue working with the brightest minds in the industry.”

Please join Studio Meng Strazzara in congratulating Tony, Kris, Robert, and Bry on their promotions!

Ethos: "Why we come to work"

Today, Meeker Street is a central commercial corridor in the City of Kent filled with residences, businesses, schools, and parks. Embracing the wide appeal of the area, the City began pursuing the “Meet Me on Meeker” campaign in 2016 to transform the corridor into a neighborhood thriving with lifestyle and retail activity.

One of the first steps toward achieving that goal was utilizing space occupied by a 9-hole golf course. The City-owned course’s location just off SR 516 and proximity to the Green River Trail gave it potential. “There was a tremendous opportunity to revitalize that area and create a true sense of neighborhood,” said SMS President Charles Strazzara, “But there were some questions about how best to do that.”

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Podium building

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Walk-up buildings

The main challenge was determining what style of community to design. The team quickly settled on a hybrid approach. Two podium buildings along Meeker frame the main community entrance and contain apartments above 12,000 SF of ground-floor retail and restaurant space. Wrapping around the site are 21 urban village, walk-up buildings—designed so every unit is a corner unit. The different building types complement one another, providing a variety of layouts and allowing for a more diverse resident profile. “When we first came out of the box with this, real estate industry professionals were confused,” said Strazzara, “But in order to create a true neighborhood feel, you want to attract the widest range of demographic possible. It was all intentional.”

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Ethos offers pedestrian access between Meeker Street (foreground) and the Green River Trail (background)

The design team also had to consider public access to the Green River Trail. “We take our communal responsibility as architects seriously, and trail access was important to the City of Kent,” said Project Architect Tony Fan. “We created a plaza between the two podium buildings with a public thoroughfare between Meeker and the trail.” The courtyard plaza links shops and restaurants with the trail, providing plenty of space to be enjoyed by residents and visiting community members alike. The large open space and buffer also improves vision, thereby enhancing community safety.

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Community lounge

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Lobby

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Community lounge

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Model unit

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Outdoor firepit

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Pool

With an excellent location and tremendous walkability, Ethos is now fully constructed. Residents in the 492 units enjoy a variety of amenities including fitness centers, game rooms, and rooftop decks at the podium and clubhouse buildings. There are outdoor bocce ball courts, firepits, a pool, and a playground. Ethos was so popular that units were immediately rented upon the completion of each building. It serves as a flourishing mixed-use community that anchors the west end of Meeker and welcomes visitors to the City of Kent. 

“As architects, we are passionate about what we do,” said Fan, “Projects like Ethos are why we come to work.”

Studio Meng Strazzara Announces Retirement of Principal Dennis Erwood

Studio Meng Strazzara celebrates the retirement of principal Dennis Erwood, AIA, LEED AP. Following a long and successful career designing educational facilities, Erwood will be retiring on June 30, 2022.

Principal Steve Lee, LEED AP BD+C will step into leadership of the firm’s educational studio.

“Simply put, Dennis is one-of-a-kind. He truly embodied the soul of our mission as architects in the educational design marketplace,” said firm owner Charles Strazzara. “As I reflect back on his remarkable career with SMS, I can’t help but smile when I consider the positive impact he had on so many people with his heartfelt collaboration on so many important and successful projects.”

Since joining the firm in 1988, Erwood has been responsible for the design of over 50 PreK-12 schools, higher-ed buildings, and transit facilities. Studio Meng Strazzara’s educational practice has thrived under his leadership, with Erwood’s team working with public school districts, independent schools, and universities to improve learning environments across Washington state.

“I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many great clients looking to better their communities,” Erwood said. “I’ve been working with some clients, consultants, and colleagues for over 30 years. It has been extremely fulfilling.”

In his retirement, Erwood plans to travel and spend more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also plans on catching up on some home projects.

“Staying busy will not be a problem.”

Please join Studio Meng Strazzara in wishing Dennis a long, happy, and relaxing retirement!

The Little School: “It’s a Joy”

Nestled between meadows and forests, The Little School provides elementary education that cultivates authentic learning in community and the natural world, amplifying curiosity, and expanding each’s child’s sense of self and belonging. Play, collaboration, and exploration inside and out have been integral components of the program since its founding in 1959. To emulate these ideals, The Little School selected Studio Meng Strazzara to expand the use of their existing campus to better serve students, faculty, and families.

SMS worked closely with the TLS Campus Planning Committee to gather feedback from questionnaires, surveys, community events, and staff workshops. The Committee identified, discussed, and prioritized criteria for the new campus master plan. These ideas were synthesized with a design anchored in the values of the school—one that enhances the unique curriculum, promotes environmental stewardship, and accommodates future growth.

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Art classroom

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Environmental education classroom

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New outdoor gathering space

Project Architect Kris Feliciano reflected on this collaboration: “We were in the initial stages when one of the teachers slipped me a note that said ‘Play is the work of children.’ I kept it taped to my wall as a touchstone from design through construction.”

The expansion includes 18 additional parking stalls, improved vehicle queuing, extended fire lanes, and renovations to the existing Meadows, Woods and Cedars buildings. Meandering footpaths evoke a walk through the woods while improving circulation between buildings. Stump stools enhance outdoor gathering spaces and a new commons area rests in the heart of the campus. A small outdoor amphitheater with tiered seating features spiraling inlaid bricks engraved with donor names. Importantly, the landscape design retained mature trees and vegetation to reinforce the organic character of the school’s natural setting. “All of this work was for the children,” Feliciano said. “We created spaces where they can be themselves, explore, get dirty, learn, and play.”

The most prominent addition is the new Rivers Building—a single-story, 14,808 sf multipurpose facility that serves as a gateway to the campus. “We needed a building that reflected our values and program,” said Head of School Julie Kalmus. Extensive use of wood in the columns, details, and open scissor trusses echo the forests surrounding the campus. Large skylights and clerestory windows provide an airy atmosphere. All students, staff, parents, and visitors enter from either end of the lobby, which can fully open to the outdoors using operable glazed walls.

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The lobby of the new Rivers Building

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Waiting area in the lobby of the new Rivers Building

The new building includes an entrance lobby with a sitting area for parents and visitors, gender-inclusive restrooms, and a freshwater tank where children watch salmon grow from roe to smolt. The large multipurpose room is the primary place for dynamic activities such as drama, movement, music, and assemblies. The building also features a new art studio, specialist classrooms, a teaching kitchen for light food prep, and an administration wing with staff offices, student services and conference rooms. “The building has helped us expand the depth of our program and has brought to life our commitment to community and connection,” said Kalmus.

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Multipurpose room

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Kitchen

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Administrative area

The Little School’s new campus improvements were completed ahead of the 2021-22 school year. Students have been enjoying the new facilities, which will blend with the landscape for generations to come. “We know how we want people to feel when they engage with the school,” said Kalmus. “It’s joy.”

Photography: Andrew Storey, LightCatcher Imagery

NAIOP WA Night of the Stars Finalist: The CC Apartments

We're ecstatic to share that The CC Apartments is a finalist for NAIOP Washington State Chapter's Night of the Stars Awards in the "Multi-Family Residential Development of the Year: Fewer than 100 Units" category.

Situated on a dynamic urban edge, at the transition of quiet residential streets and bustling Cherry Hill Medical Center, and overlooking Seattle's First Hill neighborhood, sits The CC Apartments. The CC includes 46 apartments featuring spacious, stylish floorplans and detached townhome units. Thoughtful of site and community context, the project acts as a pedestrian gateway between the differing neighborhood forms and uses; promotes safety by creating a more “lights-on” residential aesthetic at the site, and helps to increase urban density. The CC is a Certified 4-star Built Green™️ building with sustainable features throughout.

Winners will be announced at NAIOPWA’s annual Night of the Stars Gala on Friday, Nov. 5. Learn more about all of the nominees and how to vote via the NAIOPWA app here.

PSBJ: 6th Tacoma Project - Goodman prepares to redevelop old Kmart site in Tacoma

Our team is in early design on a full site redevelopment in Tacoma, the former home of a Kmart that has been vacant for over four years.

The current plan includes 18 apartment buildings, a community club and leasing space, with plenty of resident amenities and parking.

The project was recently featured in the Puget Sound Business Journal. Check out the article here.

The existing site, with a large parking lot and vacant retail structure.

Early concept of the community clubhouse.

Early concept of the community clubhouse, with residential buildings behind.

DJC: $60M CWU Project to Start Next year - CWU Health Education

CWU’s Health Education project was featured in this morning’s Daily Journal of Commerce. The project was recently approved for $55.5M in construction funds by the Washington State Legislature.

The Health Education building project includes significant renovations to CWU’s iconic Nicholson Pavilion, originally constructed in 1959. It also includes a major expansion to meet the increasing needs of the Health Education and Athletics departments. The project is scheduled to go out to bid in late summer/early fall.

Read more in the DJC article, here.

Checking in on Stahl Junior High School's New Addition

Progress check! Construction is clipping along on the 11-classroom addition at Stahl Junior High School in Puyallup. The new building will add capacity, support an expanded STEM curriculum, and provide additional space for the special education program. Work will continue through the summer, with anticipated completion in time for the new school year kick-off next fall.

DJC: 73 Columbia City apartments move closer to groundbreaking

Our 3710 S. Angeline Street apartments project was featured in the Daily Journal of Commerce, highlighting recent Design Review passing and permitting progress.

This 73-unit mixed-use building will include apartments, residential amenities, and retail space on the ground floor. These commercial spaces were an important part of the design, providing opportunities for local businesses to serve the community.

More information in the DJC article, here.

DJC Project of the Week: The CC Apartments

The CC Apartments, located in Seattle’s First Hill, was recently featured in the Seattle DJC as a Project of the Week.

The CC features a walkable location, diverse unit plans, and a unique design approach driven by the effort to maximize the development of the site.

For more information check out the project feature in the DJC, here.