Draft:Ron Wright (architect)
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Comment: References need to be specifically about Ron Wright, not the company. JSFarman (talk) 00:52, 17 April 2025 (UTC)
Ron Wright (born 1960) is an American architect based in Seattle, Washington. He is the founding principal of Ron Wright and Associates/Architects, a firm recognized for work in historic preservation, community-focused projects, and behavioral health facility design. Wright's projects have received multiple national and regional awards, particularly for their contributions to historic preservation and social well-being. He has been a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1987.
Early life and education
[edit]Wright was born in Twenty-Nine Palms, California in 1960. He spent his early years in Cupertino, California, and McLean, Virginia, with a year living in the Philippines. His parents were active in community issues and politics, which influenced his later focus on socially responsible architecture. Wright earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia in 1982 and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Washington in 1987.
Career
[edit]After completing his education, Wright worked for several architecture firms, including ARC Architects, Elaine Day LaTourelle & Associates, and KSA Group Architects. In 1994, he founded Ron Wright and Associates / Architects P.S., serving as principal architect. Throughout his leadership, the firm has focused on projects that emphasize economic and social value for clients and the broader community.
Historic Preservation
[edit]Wright is noted for his role in preserving landmarks in the Pacific Northwest. In Seattle’s Pioneer Square Historic District, he led the restoration of the Pioneer Square Pergola after its partial destruction by a semi-truck in 2001. The structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was fully restored and reopened in 2002.[1]
He has directed historic renovations of several additional landmarks, including the 619 Western Building, Moses Building, Washington Shoe Company Building, Union Station, Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola, and the First United Methodist Church (now known as The Sanctuary).[2][3][4] The restoration of Union Station received a National Trust for Historic Preservation Award in 2000.[5]
In 2017, Wright led the restoration of Washington Hall in Seattle, a project that also received a National Trust for Historic Preservation Award.[6] In 2018, his firm completed the rehabilitation of The Sanctuary, which now operates as part of the Lotte Hotel. The project earned the NAIOP Washington Chapter’s Best New Hospitality Venue Award in 2018 and contributed to The Mark's selection as a finalist for the Urban Land Institute's Global Awards for Excellence in 2019.[7][8][9] In 2024, the Lotte Hotel was recognized with a MICHELIN Guide One Key Hotel Award.[10]
In 2021, Wright served as the lead architect in his firm's restoration of the Dickman Mill Headsaw & Carriage in Tacoma, Washington, preserving the last remaining “head saw” in the state. The project received an Award of Honor from the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.[11]
Wright also served as project architect for the rehabilitation of the Saint Edward Seminary building in Kenmore, Washington, which had been abandoned since 1976 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[12] The seminary's adaptive reuse into a hotel, completed in 2021, preserved many historic elements and received both local honors and a MICHELIN Guide One Key hotel designation in 2024.[13] [10]
Community-Focused Architecture
[edit]Wright has contributed significantly to the expansion of affordable housing and behavioral health facilities in the Pacific Northwest.[14][15] His projects often prioritize under-served populations, including individuals with mental health needs, low-income residents, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
In 2007, Wright designed the Shirley Bridge Bungalows, a nationally recognized cottage housing development for persons living with HIV/AIDS.[16] The project, which consisted of six cottages organized around a central community area, emphasized a supportive, homelike environment.
Code Advocacy
[edit]In 2022, Wright led efforts before the Washington State Building Code Council to adopt the R-4 Group Occupancy Code, aimed at improving the cost-efficiency of construction residential treatment facilities. The proposal was adopted in June 2023 and is projected to reduce construction costs for residential treatment facilities by up to 40 percent, thereby improving access to behavioral health housing across Washington State.[17][18][19]
Advocacy and community service
[edit]In addition to his architectural work, Wright has served in leadership roles for numerous social service agencies and youth organizations over more than 35 years. His community involvement reflects a longstanding commitment to social equity, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
Influenced by his aunt, Frances Dodson Rhome, an early Affirmative Action Officer and advocate for equal rights, Wright has maintained a focus on racial equity and economic empowerment throughout his volunteer work.[20]
In 1997, Wright was appointed to the Advisory Board of the Seattle Jobs Initiative.[21] In 2000, he became a founding board member and Vice-Chair of the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council, where he advocated for the creation of resources such as the Self-Sufficiency Calculator to help individuals plan career and educational goals.[22][23]
Since 2000, Wright has served as a board member for the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC), acting as President of the Board from 2014 to 2016 and Vice-Chair from 2002 to 2014.[24][25] He has also held board positions with Full Life Care, Coriolis Dance Collective, and the Queen Anne Helpline, where he has served as President since 2016.[26][27][28][29]
Wright is additionally active in promoting youth sports, serving as a lacrosse official at youth, high school, and collegiate levels. In 2012, he founded the Seattle Metropolitan Youth Lacrosse Association, and in 2018, he received the National USA Lacrosse Award for Excellence in Growing the Game, awarded by USA Lacrosse for his efforts to expand access to the sport.[30]
Recognition and awards
[edit]Under his leadership, Wright's projects have been the recipient of numerous architectural awards.
| Year | Award | Project | Awarding Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | National Trust for Historic Preservation Award[31] | Union Station | National Trust for Historic Preservation |
| 2003 | Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Historic Rehabilitation[32] | Pioneer Square Pergola | Washington State Historic Preservation Officer |
| 2007 | AIA National Housing Award for Special Housing[33] | Shirley Bridge Bungalows | American Institute of Architects (AIA) |
| 2016 | Preserving Community Award[34] | Washington Hall | Historic Seattle |
| 2017 | National Trust for Historic Preservation Award[35] | Washington Hall | National Trust for Historic Preservation |
| 2017 | Exemplary Stewardship Award[36] | The Sanctuary | Historic Seattle |
| 2018 | Best New Hospitality Venue Award[37] | The Sanctuary (Lotte Hotel) | NAIOP Washington Chapter |
| 2019 | Preserving Neighborhood Character Award[38] | Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola | Historic Seattle |
| 2021 | Valerie Sivinski Award for Outstanding Historic Rehabilitation[39] | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | Washington State Historic Preservation Officer |
| 2021 | Award of Merit for Renovation[40] | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | ENR Northwest |
| 2021 | Hospitality Development of the Year[41] | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | NAIOP Washington Chapter |
| 2021 | Beth Chave Award for Best Preservation Project[42] | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | Historic Seattle |
| 2022 | Historic Preservation Award for Partnerships in Preservation[43] | Dickman Mill Headsaw | Tacoma Landmarks Preservation Commission |
| 2022 | Spotlight Award for Facility Design and Construction[44] | Dickman Mill Headsaw | Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) |
| 2023 | 23 Best Pacific Northwest Resorts | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | Emerald Palate |
| 2023 | Most Exciting New Hotels Selection[45] | The Lodge at Saint Edwards | MICHELIN Guide |
References
[edit]- ^ Sunde, Scott (June 17, 2002). "Pergola pieces are back, fittingly". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Stiles, Mark (March 27, 2015). "Developer provides sanctuary to landmark church building". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Porter, Lynn (April 13, 2017). "Revamped waterfront pergola could get coffee shop or small retail space". Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ "Moving the Historic Washington Street Boat Landing". Alliance for Pioneer Square. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Seattle Historical Sites Search Result - Department of Neighborhoods (DON)". web.seattle.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "In Boom Times for Seattle, a "Hall for All" Endures | National Trust for Historic Preservation". savingplaces.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "Night of the Stars 2018 Winners Include The Spheres, Sanctuary Seattle, Arbora Court and the BLOCK Project". www.naiopwa.org. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "Making a Lasting Difference: Nineteen Extraordinary Developments From Around the Globe are Finalists for the Urban Land Institute's Global Awards for Excellence". ULI Americas. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "The Mark, 2019 ULI Global Awards for Excellence Finalist". ULI Americas. 2019-05-14. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ a b Montalvo, Rosemary (October 3, 2024). "Three hotels in western WA were among the 293 hotels in the U.S. awarded a MICHELIN Key". The News Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "2022 WASLA Award Winner - Dickman Mill Park Expansion and Head Saw Restoration". wasla.memberclicks.net. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ SuzanneG (2021-03-28). "Saint Edward State Park 1920 to Now". Kenmore Heritage Society. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "Award of Merit Renovation: The Lodge at St. Edward Park". ENR Northwest. November 23, 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "AIA Recognizes Recipients of Housing Awards". www.floordaily.net. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ Works, Amy (2024-07-31). "KeyBank Funds $45.4M Financing for Camas Flats Affordable Housing Project in Oak Harbor, Washington". REBusinessOnline. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "AIA Names Its Housing Award Winners for 2007 | 2007-03-09 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ "Code amendment proposal: Strike the Washington State Building Code amendment that stipulates the R-4 classification is not adopted" (PDF). Washington State Building Code Council. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "Council Meeting - 09/15/2023". Washington State Building Code Council. September 15, 2023. pp. Agenda Item 8, https://sbcc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/R-4_Adoption_Public%20Hearing_06282023_testimony.pdf, https://sbcc.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/Testimony_RWAA_Letter_of_Support.pdf. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Summary meeting minutes: Building, Fire, and Plumbing Codes Committee" (PDF). Washington State Building Code Council. June 8, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "Frances Rhome: IUPUI's First Affirmative Action Officer – Voices from the IU Bicentennial". blogs.iu.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Report to the City Council: Old Woodinville School Adaptive Reuse". City of Woodinville, WA. February 12, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ "Report to the Community 2001" (PDF). Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2004-02-22. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "WDC-Board & Committees - Board Members". Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County. Archived from the original on 2004-04-23. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "DESC Leadership". Downtown Emergency Service Center. Archived from the original on 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "DESC Organization". Downtown Emergency Service Center. Archived from the original on 2003-04-11. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Full Life Care. Archived from the original on 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Coriolis Dance Collective - GuideStar Profile". www.guidestar.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Our Team". Queen Anne Helpline. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "About - Queen Anne Helpline". Queen Anne Helpline. Archived from the original on 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "USA Lacrosse December 2018 Page 3". www.qgdigitalpublishing.com. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
- ^ "PCAD - Union Pacific Railroad, Oregon and Washington Railroad Station, Seattle, WA". pcad.lib.washington.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Past SHPO Award Winners". Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP). Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "AIA Names Its Housing Award Winners for 2007 | 2007-03-09 | Architectural Record". www.architecturalrecord.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ West, Naomi (2016-10-04). "Announcing 2016 Awards". Historic Seattle. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "In Boom Times for Seattle, a "Hall for All" Endures | National Trust for Historic Preservation". savingplaces.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "2017 Honorees". Historic Seattle. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ Registry, The (2018-11-06). "NAIOP Names The Mark Best Office Tower and The Sanctuary Seattle Best Hospitality Venue of the Year". The Registry. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "2019 Honorees". Historic Seattle. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "SHPO Announces 2021 Winners for Outstanding Achievements in Historic Preservation". Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP). 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Award of Merit Renovation: The Lodge at St. Edward Park | Engineering News-Record". www.enr.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "2021 NAIOPWA Night of the Stars Winners". www.naiopwa.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "2021 Honorees". Historic Seattle. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "Celebrate 2022 Historic Preservation Awards May 26". www.cityoftacoma.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "2022 WRPA Award Recipients". www.wrpatoday.org. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ "January 2023: Our Most Exciting New Hotels". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 2025-03-31.