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.
James H. Schack was born in Germany on October 29, 1871. In Chicago he was trained in architecture at evening schools and several architectural offices. Schack arrived in Seattle in 1901 and opened his own architectural office that same year. During the early part of his career he designed the Savoy Hotel and several residences. Between 1907 and 1909, Schack associated with Daniel R. Huntington on several projects including the First Methodist Episcopal Church, the first Arctic Club Building, and at least two buildings for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition. Most of Schack's work was commercial buildings, hotel and apartment buildings and residences.
David J. Myers was born in Glasgow, Scotland on December 24, 1872. In 1889 he moved to Seattle, where he worked for several architectural firms. In 1894 he moved to the East Coast to study architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In Boston he worked for Clark & Thomas, and in Pittsburgh he worked for McClure & Spahr. Myers returned to Seattle where he worked with John S. Graham, Sr. from 1905-1910, producing the Kenney Presbyterian Home, several apartment buildings and buildings for the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition. In 1910, Myers began his private practice. He occasionally designed commercial buildings, but was well-known for designing civic, religious and residential projects. From 1917 to 1920, Myers was a member of the Architecture faculty at University of Washington. After splitting off from Schack, Young and Myers, he pursued residential projects until his death on May 9, 1936.
Arrigo M. Young was born in London on February 19, 1884. He moved to Chicago as a child, and later recieved a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the the University of Michigan. Young worked for several construction firms in Chicago and St. Louis, as well as the Chicago architectural firm, Pond & Pond. He arrived in Seattle in 1910 and began working as head of the structural department at the Moran Company. In 1912 Young began his private practice as a structural engineer, and worked closely with several Seattle architects. Young worked on the Pantages Theater in Tacoma with Seattle architect B. Marcus Priteca. He also worked independently on the design of many industrial buildings, such as the power plant for Nist Brothers' Sons. Young was a part of
Collection is arranged chronologically by architectural firm. Projects are listed alphabetically within firm. Residential projects are listed alphabetically using the last name of the client.
Architectural drawings for approximately 123 projects created by TRA and previous firms of its partners.
The collection is open to the public.
Restrictions might exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact the repository for details.
Gift of TRA, 1990.
Processed by Erin Berg and Meredith Lowe, 2011.
Note: Collection is partially processed. Projects that have not been fully processed are indicated with a note and an approximate number of drawings.