Nelsen & Sabin architectural drawings, undated

Ibsen A. Nelsen and Russell B. Sabin were influential architects based in Seattle, known for their innovative residential and civic designs in the mid-20th century. Nelsen, born in 1919 in Nebraska, and Sabin, born in 1922 in California, both served in World War II before pursuing architectural studies under the GI Bill. After earning their degrees, Nelsen and Sabin formed a partnership in 1953, establishing the firm of Nelsen & Sabin. Over the next decade, their firm gained recognition for designing affordable, well-crafted homes that combined modernist principles with an emphasis on accessibility. Nelsen, in particular, advocated for creating homes that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing for everyday people, often through initiatives like the Home Plan Bureau. The firm’s notable projects included the Benjamin Weeks House, the Latter-Day Saints Chapel in Mountlake Terrace, and a residence for artist Morris Graves in California.

Nelsen and Sabin's work often reflected a commitment to community and regional identity, with an emphasis on blending structures into their natural surroundings. Their collaboration continued through the 1960s under the name Nelsen, Sabin & Varey, before Nelsen went on to establish his own practice in 1968. In his independent career, Nelsen was responsible for several significant projects, including the Museum of Flight and the Inn at the Market. Sabin, meanwhile, spent the later years of his career in Hawaii overseeing the construction of several LDS church buildings, later retiring to New Mexico where he pursued art. Both men were deeply involved in civic and architectural organizations, and their work remains an important part of Seattle’s architectural history.

Information sourced from: Docomomo US/WEWA and the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation [2025]