Stencil

Stencil occupies the corner of 24th Avenue and East Union in Seattle’s Central District, bridging the commercial hub to the west with residential areas to the east and south. The design and ownership teams prioritized a development that would integrate seamlessly into its long-established working-class context. JA guided the project through Design Review and secured approval for multiple zoning departures. A setback at the west corner creates space for outdoor seating for the restaurant tenant, shaded by a cedar-clad canopy. A transparent retail base with touches of board-formed concrete activates the street. Along East Union, the retail frontage navigates a steep grade change with double-height live-work units at the east end. The living areas are raised on mezzanines to provide privacy while maintaining a strong connection to the street. Stencil’s cubic massing and rusted steel cladding anchor the northwest frontages, giving the building a strong presence within the commercial streetscape. The rusted steel introduces warmth, patina, and a bit of funk that reflects the neighborhood’s eclectic character. These bold frontages extend slightly at each end, protecting the softer grey residential façades facing the south and east. Projecting balconies add privacy and texture, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors bring abundant light and fresh air into each unit. Stencil’s square plan organizes vertical circulation at the center, allowing all homes, from studios to two-bedroom units, to prioritize exterior-facing windows and maximize natural light and ventilation.