TRA architectural drawings, approximately 1900-1990

The Richardson Associates, later known as TRA, was formed in 1967. However, the history of the firm goes back to 1920, when Schack, Young and Myers formalized their partnership. Prior to this partnership, Schack and Myers had been sharing office space for three years. The firm of Schack, Young and Myers designed many of Seattle's outstanding structures including the Civic Auditorium (1925-28, currently Seattle Opera House) and the Chamber of Commerce Building (1924), which later housed TRA's main office. The firm was best known for its commercial work, such as the Elridge Buick dealership (1925-26). In 1929, David Myers split off from the firm, which continued as Schack and Young until 1933. Schack and Young went on to establish a reuptation for commercial architecture, including The Baroness Apartments (1930-31), which was named a Seattle City Landmark in 2009. After Schack's death in 1933, Young continued to work on his own until 1941, when he formed the partnership of Young and Richardson. During World War II, Young and Richardson designed the protective concealment of Boeing Plant No. 2 for the U.S. Egineer's Office. In 1950 John Detlie and William Carleton became partners and the firm name changed to Young, Richardson, Carleton and Detlie. The firm designed Children's Orthopedic Hospital #2 (1951-54, now Seattle Children's Hospital), and made several major additions and alterations to St. Mark's Cathedral on Capitol Hill. When Detlie resigned in 1956, the firm's name was changed to Young, Richardson and Carleton. In 1959 the firm designed Group Health Hospital on Capitol Hill. After several major changes in partnership and staff, the firm became known as The Richardson Associates in 1967. The firm became officially known as TRA in 1974.

TRA strived to employ a variety of partners and associates, so that the firm could have a team specializing in not only architecture and engineering, but interior design, urban planning, landscaping, graphics consulting and program management. A total of 17 partners were employed at the firm before it was merged with Black and Veatch in 1996. TRA was particularly influential over the architectural landscape of Seattle, Washington, designing many important landmarks, such as the Washington State Convention Center, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the Downtown Seattle Metro Transit Tunnels and the Central Waterfront. Additionally TRA was also responsible for many other Seattle-based projects, including schools, hospitals, banks, parks, office buildings, places of worship and private residences.