Posts About Design
They Didn’t Teach Us That in School
A newly discovered lunch break spot just a short walk from the office.
“They certainly didn’t teach us that in school!” I’ve often thought to myself during the first few weeks of my new job at Coates Design. Read more ›
Incorporating Renewable Energy Design Into the Daily Lives of our Clients
One hundred percent solar powered homes are not pipe dreams of the future anymore. Current access to solar energy and pricing has made it a necessity instead of a luxury. Read more ›
Sunrise on Bainbridge Island
I am always inspired by the view from our office on beautiful Bainbridge Island. Read more ›
“Sophisticated to Playful” by Mirth Studio
Let’s bring a touch of fun and whimsy back into our homes! We love the patterned wood floor tiles from Mirth Studio. Read more ›
Coates is Working to Become a Certified Passive House Consultant
Coates Design Architects currently has staff engaged in the rigorous education and testing program developed by Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) required to become a Certified Passive House Consultant. Read more ›
Coates Summer Party Fun!
With the sun came the fun! Coates staff hosted a fun-filled Summer Party with great food and even better company. Our entire office space was filled to the brim as guests viewed an exciting sneak- peak of the Aberdeen Gateway Center project. Read more ›
Art Rack Design
This summer Coates Design was pleased to help one of our clients, a renowned art collector, organize her vast collection of 20th century paintings by designing a mobile art-rack system. Read more ›
Bamboo in Bali
Ah Bali! As we enjoy our summer in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, it is lovely to dream of exotic locales and all the beautiful sights awaiting us. Whenever I travel I make it a point to enjoy the local architecture and observe how unique design challenges are solved. Read more ›
Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare
Coates Design Architects in Seattle is very interested in Evidence-Based Design Accreditation & Certification (EDAC), a course and movement that trains design professionals to think differently about how to provide informed healthcare design. Read more ›
Steep Slope Created Design Opportunities
The initial challenge for Seattle Architect, Coates Design Architects, was to create a design concept that would work on a steep sloping lot. The property previously had been graded with two areas that were relatively level—one up hill and one down. To maximize the uphill level area as yard space, Coates Design placed the house next to the downhill property line. This location put the side yard several feet above the ground floor level of the house allowing all the living spaces to be situated on second floor with a two-car garage, shop space, and foyer on the ground floor. Read more ›
In Memory of Stanley Tigerman
“I still see architecture as the high road… as an ethical pursuit,” said Stanley Tigerman in a 2013 interview in Chicago magazine. Mr. Tigerman, 88, passed away on June 3, 2019, leaving a legacy as credible and influential as any of his peers. While Tigerman is credited with over 390 projects and over 175 built works around the world, one of the things that differentiated him from his peers is that he focused the majority of his career on his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Read more ›
Aaron Levine Studio Tour
The visit to Aaron Levine Studio was inspiring in the design methodology to create furniture as art. Aaron is inspired by content and derives tile patterns from tessellations. The process to come up with these tessellations derive from multiple inspirations like connections with nature and the universe. Majority of Aaron’s work is tables like chess, computer, and dinner and he has done specialty pieces that have been custom made for various churches and museums. Read more ›
Coates Design Wins Copper Award!
Coates Design Architects, has been awarded the 2016 North American Copper in Architecture Award. This award recognizes unusual and brilliant uses of copper in building design. A short walk from the Seattle ferry, the building reveals the progressive ideas of northwest architect: Matthew Coates. Read more ›
A Flexible Person—Matthew Coates
My father once told me, “A flexible man does not break.” Easier said than done. My first design job was a barn project for a family member. I didn’t know what I was doing but I was overjoyed because the contractor hired to build the barn allowed me to generate the design. I put together the drawings and a couple renders and we (the contractor and I) met with the owner to present the idea. Read more ›
2016 Excellence in Concrete Construction Award
Coates Design Architects was awarded the 2016 Excellence in Construction Award for their work on the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. This awards program recognizes professional accomplishments in the outstanding use of Ready Mix Concrete. Read more ›
