Integrating Arts & Innovation in Architecture
/One of JA’s most recent multi-family projects was featured in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Associate and Project Designer Lu Zhang and Partner Jack Chaffin were interviewed about the unique project, named Kirin, and the extraordinary, artistic installations that were designed for the building’s amenity spaces. Below are excerpts from the article, which you can read in its entirety on the DJC website.
The Kirin Apartments, at 417 Second Ave. W. in Lower Queen Anne, opened in October 2021. Kirin is a six-story mixed-use building with 95 residences and two street-level retail spaces that will house a restaurant and bakery or coffee shop. The residential lobby also serves as an art gallery with a permanent ceiling installation that “pulls a piece of the sky in” and walls filled with a rotating collection of work by local artists. The project is developed by Hycroft Investment Inc. and was designed by Johnston Architects (JA). Hailing from China, the developer wanted to infuse eastern culture into the building. This is reflected in the project name, Kirin. Kirin are a spiritual creature depicted in Asian mythology.
“The Kirin is colorful, calm and peaceful but also powerful. But they only punish the wicked.”
the kirin building lobby features a unique, ja-designed lighting installation
1,008 fabric flags are lit up by 667 led screens to produce unique patterns in kirin
The Kirin's character and attributes shaped JA's design of the project which is intended to invoke a sense of calm, serenity, safety and protection for its residents. JA and the developer felt that the attributes of the Kirin also had a natural affinity with the character of Lower Queen Anne. The permanent art installation in the lobby is a unique manifestation of some of these themes. The installation, which hangs from the ceiling, is made up of over 1000 translucent flags glowing with LEDs.
Controlled by a natural algorithm and filtering video, the installation creates natural patterns that move in a heuristic way -- mimicking waves or clouds. The art piece was the result of a brainstorm in the JA office about how to do something unique and creative with the lobby space. Moving forward, the plan is to set up a YouTube channel so that the building mangers can change the video screen behind the flags meaning that it will constantly be evolving.
“ Kirin are in many ways the opposite of the dragon, they are powerful but they don’t always show it on the surface.”
In addition to the art gallery lobby, the project has several amenities including an interior sky-lounge, fitness room, and co-working lounge. A highlight is the sky-lounge which is on the 6th floor of the property. The lounge has a bathroom and kitchen and is an amenity that can be enjoyed year-round. The lounge has a stairwell which connects to a landscaped rooftop that serves as another space of calm and relaxation. The lounge itself has large floor to ceiling windows on the south façade offering views of Elliott Bay. Origami Kirin are hung from the ceiling of the stairwell leading to the rooftop.
You can read more about the Kirin amenities here.
All photos in this piece are by Rafael Soldi.
ja designed and fabricated these origami-inspired dragons in their innovation lab
“When you look at them it’s quite magical.”