The Seattle-based architecture firm infuses a rugged-meets-refined aesthetic with a laid-back Pacific Northwest spirit
Named after Jim Olson and Tom Kundig—two of its five partners—this firm has developed an international cult following thanks to a rugged-meets-refined aesthetic that’s infused with a laid-back Pacific Northwest spirit. Signature Style: Muscular geometric lines; a mix of timber, steel, concrete, and glass; blurred boundaries between indoors and out. Latest Projects: Hotels in Seattle and Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico; a new home for Denver’s Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art; and the recently published Tom Kundig: Works (Princeton Architectural Press).
Each of the tastemakers named to this year’s AD100 list has a vision: Some are daredevils, some are classicists, but all are supremely confident. From dynamic decorators recalibrating beloved traditions to enterprising architects shaking up a skyline near you, these 100 thought leaders—among them 19 additions from Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Spain, and the U.S.—are raising the bar for global design today.