ISSUE 6 AUTUMN 2016 A SELLEN PUBLICATION
Together, we’re building personalized cancer care. Now open, thanks to our partners at Sellen, Advancing care through philanthropy the Robert andhealth Jean Reid Family Innovative Therapeutics & Research Unit at the Swedish Cancer Institute.
For more information about the Swedish Cancer Institute visit Swedish.org/cancer or to donate to Swedish, visit Swedishfoundation.org.
COVER IMAGE: Brightly colored stainless steel panels distinguish Amazon’s new Doppler office building in downtown Seattle. PHOTO: LORETTA GRANDE
Contents FEATURES
13 18
6 10 18
Hidden in the Code Inside Doppler, Amazon’s new office building Industry Trends: 2016 and Beyond Predictability and planning are key in this busy market Radio Revolution How KEXP is changing radio from its New Home
DEPARTMENTS
2 4 13 22 26 28
Letter from Bob McCleskey A glimpse beyond the façade Noteworthy A round-up of project and company updates Meet the Experts Find out what motivates four Sellenites each day Project Pictorial Swedish expands its campus in Edmonds Building Community Inspiration, insight and ways to make an impact Client Spotlight A transformative approach to cancer treatment
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Letter from
Bob McCleskey Hit the pause button. It’s no secret that something dramatic has been happening around our region for the last several years. We’ve seen the tower cranes and felt the pulse of unprecedented growth — but have any of us really paused to take it all in? We recently took that opportunity here at Sellen, comparing a picture of today’s downtown Seattle with one from just four years ago, and it’s truly astounding to see what has been accomplished in such a short time period. It got us thinking — many of us walk by these new buildings, but most never set foot inside them. Many will never see the thoughtfulness that went into the interior architecture, or learn the motivations of the designers and builders, or understand how the new spaces will make a difference. We wanted to give you that chance with this issue by giving you a glimpse beyond the façades. In this issue, we reveal some of the hidden intricacies and quirks of Amazon’s first new office tower in the Denny Triangle area, the Doppler building. We spoke with Amazon and NBBJ to learn how the team weaved hidden messages and sounds from around the world into the building’s interior design. We describe a day in the life at KEXP’s New Home to learn how the space has vastly improved the impact that its people will have on the music world. And we highlight some of the talented Sellen people who have been building these projects to find out what drives them every day. We’ve enjoyed this opportunity to step back and appreciate the impact that our work has on the community in which we live, and we hope that you will, too. And as we move forward in this busy market, I recommend we all hit the pause button from time to time and appreciate what our region has accomplished in such a short period of time — it truly is remarkable.
Bob McCleskey Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sellen Construction
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ISSUE 6 AUTUMN 2016
PUBLISHER Sellen Construction sellenmarketing@sellen.com PRODUCTION Erin Hobson Amanda Erickson Connor Davis Won Moc Kassidy Maddux GRAPHIC DESIGNER Loretta Grande WITH THANKS TO Amazon Grace Love & The True Loves KEXP 90.3 FM Museum of Flight NBBJ Renata Steiner Sean Airhart Swedish Cancer Institute Swedish Medical Center SELLEN CONSTRUCTION 227 Westlake Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 T: 206.682.7770 www.sellen.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PAPER INFORMATION 100% Post Consumer Waste Recycled FSC Certified Green Seal Certified Green-e (Certified Renewable Energy) Acid Free Processed Chlorine Free
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In brief: Updates & milestones
Original Sellen HQ Redeveloped Fewer Seattle neighborhoods have changed more than South Lake Union, but one project was more poignant for us Sellenites than others. In Sellen’s own backyard on May 10, a crowd gathered to watch the demolition of the original Sellen office building. The feeling wasn’t one of mourning, however; rather it was of celebration, as the building is being cleared to make way for a new one. “We’re trying to create something in this neighborhood that doesn’t really exist right now — something that honors our history and legacy in the neighborhood while standing out from the other office buildings,” said Scott Redman, president of Sellen and owner of 9th & Thomas Partners, LLC, the building’s developer. In 1944, John Sellen set up shop on the corner of 9th Avenue and Thomas Street. In 1999 we moved across the alleyway to our current home. Since then, the old office has been home to a variety of shops and businesses. The new 12-story building is fittingly named 9th & Thomas. Designed by Olson Kundig, the new project aspires to be a community “living room,” featuring primarily retail and office space. It is designed to achieve LEED Gold and completes in August 2017. 4
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MultiCare Expands in South Sound Sellen has once again partnered with MultiCare Health System to bring advanced healthcare to the Covington community. Sellen built the original MultiCare Covington Medical Center in 1992, returning to the campus in 2012 to construct an emergency department addition. In February, Sellen’s team came back to the Covington campus to begin a 107,000square-foot campus hospital expansion. The project involves construction of two separate
facilities, which are connected through the existing emergency department. Designed by CollinsWoerman, the four-story north wing hospital will include surgery beds, labor and delivery beds, operating rooms, a pharmacy and lab space. The south wing services building will house a kitchen, electrical room, mechanical room, and a loading dock. The new hospital expansion is scheduled to complete in the fall of 2017.
A Colorful Addition to the U-District In April, Sellen partnered with the Blume Company and NBBJ to complete the shell and core of 4545 Roosevelt Way, a Class A office building. Located in Seattle’s university district, the new six-story building sits on top of an existing parking structure and provides more than 54,000 square feet of modern office space over four levels for the University of Washington (UW). The building also features a new partial
PHOTO: SEAN AIRHART
RENDERING: COURTESY OF OLSON KUNDIG
RENDERING: COURTESY OF COLLINSWOERMAN
Home for the Next Gen Rising above a bustling intersection in South Lake Union is Urban Union, a 12-story, 290,000-square-foot office building, which was leased by Amazon. Visitors are greeted by the building’s iconic iridescent glass blue cube that opens up to the “Union,” a versatile area designed for the next generation of mobile workers who want the freedom to work in different workspaces. The space also features a dynamic, geometric wood-paneled ceiling. The top floor hosts the “Outlook,” a rooftop conference and hospitality center, offering views of Lake Union and the Space Needle. The shell and core was designed by CollinsWoerman and developed by Schnitzer West. Sellen is now completing the interior build-out.
“Urban Union is more than just another ‘pretty face;’ this project represents the next generation of workplace design.” - Jeff Harmer, Director Schnitzer West
level of parking and room for street retail. The cladding and window systems combine multiple color profiles that were inspired by the Ferrari brand, complete with a “racing stripe” that extends up the elevator tower. Local property owners are working to transform the area around the UW campus into an innovation hub, housing new startup companies. As a new light rail extension is planned to open in the area in 2021, 4545 Roosevelt Way could be one of the first of many new buildings in the area.
THIS PAGE: Sculptural wood wall featured in the lobby of Urban Union, intended to reflect the canopy and trunk of a tree PHOTO: LORETTA GRANDE
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Hidden in the code Amazon’s new Doppler office building features an interior design as unique and innovative as the company it hosts. BY: CONNOR DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY: SEAN AIRHART
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rom a distance, Amazon’s new 36-story Doppler building might look like just another high-rise amidst Seattle’s skyline. A closer look, however, reveals an office tower that’s anything but normal. Vibrantly colored stainless steel panels protrude from the dark glass curtainwall, shimmering brightly in the sunlight and adding a splash of bold color to the surrounding neighborhood. A steel and glass canopy towers over the plaza between the high-rise and the meeting center, its low-rise partner on the block. Completing the picture is an outdoor dog park with a fire hydrant or two — which may not seem that extraordinary until you consider that it’s on the 17th floor. “Things that haven’t been done before are being done every day in that building,” said Sam Stubblefield, principal of NBBJ’s Studio 7. “We’d be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to ask ‘what does that kind of innovation physically look like?’” These exterior features offer a small taste of the building’s unique interior, where Amazon, Seneca Group, architects NBBJ and IA Interior Architects, and Sellen have partnered to create something never before seen in Seattle: an office tower built from the DNA of a startup company.
Laying the Foundation
Doppler, the first of three new Amazon towers in the Denny Regrade, marks
RIGHT: Aerial view of Doppler LEFT: Public plaza space between 6th and 7th avenues
a new chapter for the company in more ways than one. In addition to standing tall as its first high-rise, Doppler is the first building the online retailer has developed itself from the ground up. NBBJ, with Lead Designer Dale Alberda and Principal-in-Charge John Savo at the helm, set out to create a space tailorfit to Amazon’s unique culture. “We went to school with Amazon to learn who they were and how they thought,” Savo said. “One of the first things they told us was that they didn’t want to build a campus — they wanted to build a neighborhood.” The company’s dedication to
creating an active neighborhood is apparent to any passerby. An outdoor area between the tower and meeting center is open to employees and the public, connecting 6th and 7th avenues. Pedestrians are greeted by a sculpture by artist Julie Speidel, a glass canopy, and a walkway lined with restaurants and ample outdoor seating. “I love the public plaza and the color of the building, with its patterns and textures,” said John Schoettler, Amazon’s director of global real estate and facilities. “That’s something that will stand in
“We encouraged the team to dig deep and figure out new ways to invent, simplify and innovate to create something world class, and we’ve done it.” – John Schoettler, Director of Global Real Estate and Facilities, Amazon
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barbecue and fire pit, alternate work areas and a maker’s space, where employees can learn to silkscreen, use a 3-D printer or try their hand at an arts and crafts project with their team. These unique elements enable Doppler to maintain the look and feel of Amazon’s South Lake Union low-rise buildings within the frame of a 36-story tower. “Features associated with low-rise campus environments found their way to the middle of this high-rise building in the middle of the city,” Savo said. “I don’t know of another office building downtown that has those amenities.”
Dog Park with a View
Doppler By the Numbers
1,080
Parking Spaces
11,000
Cubic Yard Mat Pour (largest known mat pour in Seattle history)
1.1 M
Square Feet in Tower
60,000
Square Feet in Meeting Center
6,700 Tons of Steel
11
Retail Areas
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the city’s skyline for a very long time, and I don’t think people will tire of it.” It’s just a preview, however, of what awaits those who enter the building.
A Literary Welcome
A large floor-to-ceiling wooden wall spans the length of the staircase that leads to the lobby, which is open to the public. The wall features a design that, from a distance, seems to consist of intricately patterned vertical bands. Those who take a closer look, however, will see those patterns start to take shape in the form of words. The Doppler literature wall features passages of world-renowned stories about exploration from cultures all around the globe. “We started with the cross-section of people who work at Amazon,” Stubblefield said, explaining how the team came up with the idea. “We picked out writing that references not only Amazon’s culture, but also the diverse cultures of its employees.” The writings begin with Homer’s “Odyssey” and continue across multiple languages throughout written history, ending at the top of the staircase with ones and zeroes of binary code. Unbeknownst to most who walk by the literature wall, the vertical bands include a hidden message. When viewed from a distance, the disparate sections of
text combine to form a barcode, which would read “Amazon” if you had a scanner large enough to capture the entire wall. Thoughtful, multi-layer installations like the literature wall are featured throughout the building, many with hidden messages for those who take more than a passing glance.
Center of Energy
After employees pass through the security gates on the second level, they enter what’s known as the Center of Energy, a four-story open area full of amenities not found in any other office tower in the city. Designed by NBBJ, the Center of Energy features an open stairway, high ceilings and exposed building components, including air ducts, structural steel and Doppler’s massive concrete core, one of the largest ever built in Seattle. “We loved the idea of everyone passing through a multi-use space before they go to work,” Savo said. “It’s a mixing chamber where spontaneous, serendipitous encounters can occur, encouraging unusual thinking and creative acts.” The space, consisting of floors two through five, includes a marketplace, an espresso bar, retail-like IT support, game rooms, conference rooms, an outdoor area with a
Inside the Center of Energy, 33 elevators stand ready. Floors six through 36 are composed primarily of office space, designed by IA Interior Architects to be open and versatile to accommodate the needs of the building’s nearly 5,000 employees. The higher floors include operable windows. “I’ve never seen operable windows in a building this size,” said Mike Ryberg, Sellen’s senior superintendent on the project. “It’s a really nice touch for the people that work up there every day.” The design team had one other important user group to consider: dogs, who have long been a staple of Amazon’s workplace culture. The 17th floor features an outdoor dog park, complete with a colorful wall of tennis balls and a light fixture made of cone collars. “It was fun to consider the needs of your dog at a park on the 17th floor — everything from fire hydrants to sanitation to guard rails,” said Brad Hayes, Sellen’s project director. “Amazon likes to be fun, playful and practical, and the dog park definitely fits that description.”
Prime Meeting Space
Not to be outdone by its taller partner, the five-story meeting center provides Amazon with a large gathering space that’s unrivaled in its flexibility. Through its glass exterior, bright yellow accents suspended with bungee cables span all the way around the interior. Just like the tower’s colorful façade,
this eye-catching installation, created by Stubblefield’s team, hints at the unique qualities within the building. A skybridge connects Doppler to the meeting center’s top floor, where an employee food court offers a variety of cuisines. The area below is a large, open space that can be quickly transformed from a meeting center with state-of-the-art AV capabilities to a gymnasium that can host basketball games, dodgeball tournaments and more. Terraced, stadium-style seating for more than 1,000 folds out when needed. “It’s a wonderful amalgam of many types of gathering spaces,” Savo said. “It’s by far the most multi-use space I’ve ever been involved with.”
It Takes a Village
At its peak, the team at Doppler included more than 600 construction workers, each doing their part to deliver an office tower and meeting center unlike anything they had built before. “When you’re in the middle of the project, it can be hard to appreciate the magnitude of it, but when you take a step back at the end, it’s really cool to think about all that we accomplished at Doppler,” Ryberg said. “I’ve never been a part of anything quite like this.” The new building is just the start of Amazon’s multi-block development in the Denny Regrade, but its effects on the surrounding neighborhood are already being felt. “It was so gratifying to be a part of the neighborhood’s transformation. We really pushed the boundaries and built things that haven’t been built before in Seattle,” Schoettler said. “We encouraged the team to dig deep and figure out new ways to invent, simplify and innovate to create something world class, and we’ve done it.” ■
CLOCKWISE, FROM UPPER LEFT: Marketplace in the Center of Energy; a sliding, 3-ton door is the entryway to the adjacent meeting center; open meeting space in the Center of Energy; dog park on the 17th floor
What’s That Sound? If you’re greeted by the sound of ocean waves when entering the Doppler building’s lobby, don’t fret — you aren’t hearing things. Sam Stubblefield and his team at NBBJ’s Studio 7 created an interactive sound exhibit, the likes of which few have ever heard. It works like this: Directional speakers mounted throughout the lobby focus the sounds. Behind the scenes, a computer draws current local information from the internet, such as traffic and weather. Using an algorithm, the computer selfcomposes sounds that reflect those conditions, changing in tone, speed and volume. These sounds are composed in realtime from musical instruments, ocean waves and field recordings from seven countries throughout the world. One day, you might hear a train station in Nice, France, while another day you might be treated to a bird song. A sudden shift in weather might result in a drastic change. “We used sound as a material. It was such a different way of treating sound in architecture,” Stubblefield said. “It was very technically challenging, but it’s certainly been worthwhile.”
Industry trends: 2016 and beyond Sellen’s Director of Preconstruction Operations Dave Ratzke shares insider information on trends to expect within the AEC industry. BY: DAVE RATZKE PHOTOGRAPHY: KEITH BROFSKY
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ince early 2015, the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) community has been on quite an incredible ride. In 2015, the Seattle and Tacoma markets thrived with a record number of projects, and this trend hasn’t stopped yet. Needless to say, supporting this sheer amount of work has not been without its challenges. All AEC firms have felt the pressure of delivering high-quality projects with a shortage of qualified teams. Here at Sellen, we’ve been taking a more proactive approach to be able to deliver the best project experiences possible for our clients. We realize and appreciate that owners are making critical decisions based on the information we provide. It’s important that we get it right the first time — and when we say “it,” we mean everything. Sellen takes a holistic approach on all of our projects no matter the size, providing continuity from preconstruction through project delivery. We are continuously investing time and effort into improving our approaches to scheduling, cost estimating, document control, risk assessment, and virtual design and construction, as well as our project quality and safety programs. All of these improvements are made in an effort to get everything right the first time. We’re taking a more proactive approach to better learn our partners’ businesses by helping them with risk
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assessments and feasibility studies. We’re applying 70-plus years of experience to our scheduling and hold collaboration meetings to critique every schedule. We’ve honed our estimating systems by mining our past project experiences and applying that to similar future work activities. This is allowing us to provide owners with early, realistic estimates that accurately project the final cost of the project. In fact, the majority of our early estimates have been within 5 percent or less of the project’s final cost. .
“We realize and appreciate that owners are making critical decisions based on the information we provide. It’s important that we get it right the first time — and when we say ‘it,’ we mean everything.” – Dave Ratzke Director of Preconstruction Operations
Yearly Escalation Chart
6% 5% 4%
1.5%
‘12
5% 4%
4.5% 3.5%
2%
‘13
‘14
‘15
‘16
‘17
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2016 Construction Material Costs Due to the lack of global demand, construction material prices will stay relatively flat with some modest escalation, as indicated below. Across the board, we don’t anticipate hyper material escalation.
0%
Copper
0%
Insulation
0%
Lumber
0%
Roofing Products
3%
Glass
3%
Structural Steel
4-6%
Concrete
5%
Aluminum
5%
Tower Cranes
5%
Diesel Fuel
8-10%
Rebar
10-15% GWB/Metal Studs craft magazine 11
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2016/2017 Subcontractor Trends Subcontractor capacity and financial capability is a major concern. The industry can expect to see a 4 to 6 percent cost increase in subcontracted work each year over the next two years.
Labor Trends
Companies should expect labor shortages and reduced productivity due to the amount of work available. Tradespeople can be selective on which projects and firms they choose to work. Specifically, labor will be tight for carpenters, laborers, cement masons, sheet metal workers, electricians, tile setters and glaziers. This year, the glaziers, tapers, plumbers and pipefitters were up for negotiations, but they have all reached an agreement. The trades that will be up for labor negotiations in 2017 will be: • Plumbers and pipefitters • IBEW electrical sound and communication • Iron workers • Boilermakers • Elevator constructors • Roofers and waterproofers
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3-5%
Steel Erection
3-5%
Earthwork
4-6%
MEP Trades
4-6%
Elevators
6-8%
Metal Siding
8-10%
Finishing Trades
10-12%
Windows & Curtainwall
12-15%
Concrete Formwork
Looking Forward
The remainder of 2016 will continue to be a tremendous year of growth. New project opportunities continue to hit the market. As a result, cost escalation will continue. Labor will increase per the union agreements at a rate of approximately 3 percent per year. Subcontractors continue to be selective and increase their margins as they reach their capacities. Tight job controls and early procurement strategies are essential to a smooth project delivery, as are early subcontractor and major material supplier commitments. Staying proactive on all fronts continues to be crucial to eliminating surprises and building a successful project. These trends show no sign of stopping and will continue well into 2017 as the Pacific Northwest markets continue to be robust. ■
Meet the experts With such rapid growth, it’s sometimes easy to forget the massive amount of people that it takes to build a building. Here’s a glimpse at some of the faces that are changing Seattle every day. BY: CONNOR DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY: KEITH BROFSKY
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cross the Puget Sound, construction workers wake up each day to play their role in changing the face of the region. Whether their job site is at the heart of a healthcare campus or on the top of a new high-rise, each and every one is integral to transforming a project from concept to reality. But it takes more than just tools to complete the job — it requires an unyielding dedication to come
together as a team to fully realize the goals of the people that will one day occupy the space. In our quest to look at buildings from a fresh vantage point, we spoke to four Sellen craftspeople to discover the source of their passion; to find out who helped them find their way and how they empower others to do the same; to retrace the paths they took to get to where they are; and to discuss why a project is much more than the sum of its raw materials.
Heidi Hagen SAFETY MANAGER Years at Sellen 2 Favorite Sellen Project Southport Hotel Safety Tip Identify and face your hazards, no matter what kind of work you’re doing. Heidi Hagen is passionate about safety, but you don’t have to take her word for it — her two sons can tell you all about it. “The boys used to do yard work around the house, and I made them wear safety gear,” said Hagen, who’s been with Sellen since January 2015. “They thought it was embarrassing to be seen wearing all that gear by their friends, so they used to wait until sundown to mow the lawn.” The Billings, Mont. native got her start in the industry back in 1986 when she moved to Washington to find work. She began as a sheet metal worker, mentored by a foreman who helped stoke her passion for safety. “He was close to retirement and would always explain safety rules with quirky sayings or interesting stories,” Hagen said. “One of the things he said was that a lot of things are replaceable, but quality of life isn’t one of them. That mentality really stuck with me.” When she transitioned to a safety role, she built upon many of his teachings and forged her own approach, focused on developing personal relationships and using storytelling to educate crews about safety rules and requirements. In her time with Sellen, her methodology has already paid off, with ramifications that go far beyond the job site. “This craftsman who I knew fairly well showed up with a tray of brownies one day and told me they were for me from his wife,” Hagen said. “I’d never met her, but she wanted to thank me for keeping her husband safe and healthy so that he could go backpacking with their kids over the weekend. That was special.”
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“I’m an observant person. I try to take a little something from everyone I encounter to see what makes them successful and apply it to my own work.” –Arturo Martinez, Carpenter Journeyman
Arturo Martinez CARPENTER JOURNEYMAN Years at Sellen 12 Favorite Sellen Project Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park Speciality Interior Build-Outs and Finishes
“I’ve always been the kind of person that wants to help,” said Arturo Martinez, a carpenter journeyman. “My goal is to help whoever I can become a better person in any way that I can, from their attitude to their performance.” Since joining Sellen in 2004 as an apprentice, Martinez has worked on nearly every facet of a project. Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, he’s also known as an excellent mentor to younger workers. However, even he needed some advice early in his career from his father, a welder who had worked on projects throughout Seattle during Martinez’s childhood.
“After high school I was working in a non-union shop, cleaning it up and changing oil in West Seattle,” he said. “My dad told me to get into the trades, but I didn’t listen to him.” The shop he was working at closed two years later. Humbled and eager to learn, Martinez went back to his father who guided him down the path to an apprenticeship. While waiting at the union hall, he was dispatched to a Sellen job and hasn’t looked back since. In 2014, after 10 years with the company, he was asked to continue the cycle of mentorship started by his father more than a decade earlier.
Martinez agreed to mentor a young man interested in a career in the trades, taking him under his wing and providing helpful advice both on and off the job site. “As an apprentice, you come in thinking you already know everything. Then you get a reality check,” Martinez said. “My advice for them is to be dependable, be personable and take great pride in your work.” Today, Martinez follows in the footsteps of his father in more ways than one, continuing to build Seattle one day at a time and inspiring the next generation of builders to take their place alongside him. craft magazine 15
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Rick Debord OPERATOR
Years at Sellen 7 Favorite Sellen Project Block 19 Spheres Did You Know? On an average day, Rick opens and closes the door to a project’s elevator lift more than 750 times.
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From heavy industrial mines at the end of the earth to the top of Seattle’s growing skyline, Rick Debord has seen it all. After spending two decades in the mining industry working in locales such as Panama and the Arctic Circle, he decided it was time to find a new, safer role close to his home in the Pacific Northwest. As an operator with Sellen since 2009, Debord runs the elevator lifts on high-rise projects with a deft touch, efficiently delivering personnel and materials to where they are needed. It’s no easy task, because other than dozens of flights of stairs, his lift is the only way up or down the building. The lift is the nerve center of the job site, so on any given day he interacts with a wide variety of workers, opening and closing the door of the lift more than 750 times per day.
“In this line of work, I’m constantly surrounded by a core group of really talented people. From electricians and plumbers to engineers and architects, it’s truly a pleasure to be involved with that team and do my part.” – Rick Debord, Operator
“Each project has a pulse that I try to get a feel for,” Debord said. “I’m driving the bus and everyone needs to get on and off at some point.” Eminently approachable and quick to laugh, Debord does what he can to promote an air of positivity on the job site. And though he likes to enjoy his work, he takes a very serious stance on safety, something he carried over from his previous occupation. “It was pretty dangerous,” he said, referring to his time in the mining
business. “That’s where I learned to keep my head on a swivel. Now, I’m in a perfect position to see what’s going on, so I constantly keep an eye on guys and check on them as I’m rolling along.” Next time you see a bright orange elevator making its way up the side of a project, it might just be Rick, checking the pulse of the job, helping to keep his coworkers safe and doing whatever he can to brighten the day of those in his lift.
Jerry Kelley
GENERAL LABOR FOREMAN Years at Sellen 22 Favorite Sellen Project Seattle Children’s Hospital, Building Hope: Cancer, Critical and Emergency Care Expansion To anyone else, a project is over the moment the construction crew packs up and leaves the site for the last time. To Jerry Kelley, however, that’s when a project truly comes alive. “It’s more than just putting up a structure and walking away,” said Kelly, a general labor foreman. “Once it’s done, I like seeing the people who will be using the building and the satisfaction on their faces when they see what we’ve built.” Kelley grew up in Seattle and has been with Sellen since 1994. He knew from an early age that he wanted to work outside and use his hands, so construction was a natural fit for him. A gifted leader, Kelley is known by his coworkers for adopting the mission of the client as his own, best exemplified by a recent experience at Seattle Children’s Hospital Building Hope project, when he took “Where’s Waldo” off the page and onto the job site. For two years, he arrived at work an hour early to set up a manikin dressed as Waldo, the character from the children’s book series, somewhere on the job site. Children at the adjacent hospital, who had an excellent view of the project, would look out their window each morning to try and find Waldo. “I loved seeing those kids look out the window each day. Every day you looked up and knew exactly why you were building this project,” Kelly said. “When you can see the people that will be in the building and feel their heart in the project — those are the jobs I look forward to the most.” ■
For those working inside KEXP’s New Home, the new digs bring more than just extra space. Craft went “off the air” with some of KEXP’s finest to find out how the new space has allowed the station to grow. BY: WON MOC PHOTOGRAPHY: CHANTAL ANDERSON / RENATA STEINER
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LEFT: Grace Love, lead vocalist of Grace Love & The True Loves, performs in the new live studio 18 craft magazine
fter working in an old, cramped cinder block building for nearly 15 years, KEXP’s dream became a reality with the completion of the New Home. Designed by SkB Architects and renovated by Sellen, KEXP 90.3 FM revealed its 25,000-square-foot New Home to the public on April 16. KEXP’s New Home is housed in what was an outdated building in the Seattle Center. The renovated space is a stark contrast from the building’s former life as an exhibition hall built for the 1962 World’s Fair. In addition to enjoying cuttingedge technology and collaborative workspaces, KEXP is using its new space to change the way people engage with radio by creating a shared, interactive experience among listeners, KEXP DJs, and artists. The New Home is a culmination of KEXP’s staff’s years of hard work to create one of the most iconic and pioneering independent radio stations in the nation. The shiny, new space would mean nothing without its people, who continue to enrich people’s lives by championing music and discovery every day.
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Kurt Reighley
DJ AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Tom Mara
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In stories, the “sage” archetype always embodies expressive communication. The sage is wise, knowledgeable and full of new ideas. Tom Mara, executive director, is KEXP’s very own sage. When it comes to independent music and radio, there aren’t many with as much wisdom and experience as Mara. After 30 years in the business, Mara has used his experience to influence the identity and character of KEXP. “We are trying to make lives better,” Mara said. “We believe music is like an element — like hydrogen or helium — and it is part of our lives.” Mara’s mission of improving lives through music can be traced back to his college years. While attending college in Germany, Mara’s love for music drove him to become a club DJ where he noticed a distinct connection between his music selections and listeners’ moods. “I began to learn about curating music and how that has an effect on
people,” Mara said. “When it was done authentically, I saw a positive effect in enriching lives.” Mara’s influence and vision can also be seen throughout KEXP’s new home. It was important to him and the staff members at KEXP that the new building be publicfacing so it could engage people to fully experience — and not just listen to — music. The result is a new space that seems to embody KEXP’s mission and vision. It has a gathering area for the public to watch the DJs as they broadcast, and it is home to an in-studio space that can hold up to 75 people to watch live sessions for free. And Mara continues to play with new ideas. For example, they are working on something he referred to as “KEXP 2.” It will focus on other voices besides the resident DJs and bring in people who have a unique and distinctive perspective on music. After all, for Mara it all comes down to one thing. “If you are going to enrich lives through music, you need to champion it,” he said.
It’s clear from Kurt Reighley’s history how he came to be such a devoted KEXP believer. Like many, his KEXP journey began by being a listener and donor. As he became more active in the community, Reighley became curious about how his financial support was reflected in the programming, which led him to volunteer during the fundraising drives. “It just slowly snowballed from there,” Reighley said. “They trained me to be an on-air DJ.” Reighley became a fill-in DJ and eventually found his niche in the evening slot. Now, Reighley is one of KEXP’s most beloved DJs and is known to many simply as, “El Toro.” Many may be surprised to know that El Toro also has a day job at KEXP as the communications manager. But what Reighley does at KEXP is beyond simply communicating — he is KEXP’s evangelist.
“My job is not only a means of keeping KEXP listener powered, but also advancing the art form and moving us forward as a culture and a society,” Reighley said. KEXP’s New Home sets a grand stage for Reighley’s messaging. The new primary DJ booth shares space with the public, creating a communal music experience for both the DJs and the listeners. “With the opening up of the KEXP community in the new space, it is easier for me to tap into that circuit,” Reighley said. “I have a feeling of how people are responding to the music and can feed off that energy.” When you see Reighley dance during his evening shows, it reinforces the idea that KEXP is more than just a radio station — KEXP is a significant driver for bringing people closer to the music. “My job is to take my enthusiasm and passion for the music, and then use it as a peg to illuminate a shared passion in music lovers,” Reighley said. “I’m inspired to use my passion in service of a greater good.”
“We are trying to make lives better. We believe music is like an element — like hydrogen or helium — and it is part of our lives.” — Tom Mara, Executive Director KEXP 90.3 FM
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Dylan Flesch
MEDIA ASSET LIBRARIAN As a child, Dylan Flesch had the best collection of baseball cards in his neighborhood, and he meticulously cataloged them. “I was always drawn to collections and organizing and sharing them,” Flesch said. It’s no surprise that Flesch is KEXP’s music conservationist. His official title is librarian, but that doesn’t do him justice. Flesch said he strives to take his job to the next level, constantly thinking of new ways to preserve and share music. KEXP’s music library consists of 12,000 records, 41,000 CDs, and 57,000-plus digital tracks. On top of preserving and organizing this collection, Flesch has taken on an important task: creating a logical, digital library that contains more information associated with the tracks. “A guitarist may have played in four different bands or multiple albums,” Flesch said. “With the new digital library, I can just search for the guitarist and pull all the information related to the artist.”
When completed, the entire library will be at the user’s fingertips. Gathering music and information will be exponentially easier and allow the DJs and programmers to put more time into creating in-depth programs for the listeners. This undertaking is something Flesch said he could only dream of in the previous building, where he shared a broom closet converted to an office with two other staff members. The old library was a hallway. In the New Home, the library is a dedicated room that is more than twice the size of the old one. Flesch's workspace is located next to the vinyl and CD collection, allowing him to easily convert the CDs, tapes and records to digital files. The scale and significance of Flesch's collecting habits have changed drastically since his childhood, but his deep passion for sharing his collections hasn’t changed. “My job is preserving the music,” Flesch said. “It’s always been my primary concern: to bring music into the future and continue to keep it accessible.”
Kevin Suggs
AUDIO ENGINEER At KEXP, about 500 artists perform on-air live throughout the year. The performances range from a solo acoustic rock artist to an eight-piece Afro-beat band. This creates a unique challenge for KEXP, as it strives to air studio-quality, unblemished sounds for each live broadcast. In nearly all of the in-studio performances, Kevin Suggs, audio engineer, can be found standing in the back of the control room, hovering over the soundboard. He has been KEXP’s audio engineer for over 13 years and is a music magician, mixing the live performances into the productionquality broadcasts that listeners all over the world enjoy. The secret behind Suggs’ magic is in capturing every band with their
true sound in real time. Unlike what happens in record production, it is important for him to listen and adapt to the sound the artists are looking for in the moment. “My job is to take what they are doing and put it out there for people to hear,” Suggs said. “I want to do the best at capturing them without changing what they are giving me.” The listeners of KEXP may not realize the depth of talent it takes to create these programs that make KEXP so unique, but without people like Suggs behind the scenes, it would not be as successful as it is today. His commitment to achieving a band’s true sound represents KEXP’s dedication to its listeners. “I always have the listener in mind,” Suggs said. “When I am mixing bands … I am always trying to think of the listener experience.”
“With the opening up of the KEXP community in the new space, it is easier for me to tap into that circuit. I have a feeling of how people are responding to the music and can feed off that energy.” — Kurt Reighley, DJ/Communications Manager KEXP 90.3 FM
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Grace Love & The True Loves THE BAND
Even though KEXP is growing and has moved into a bigger, shinier space, it remains driven by the goal of connecting artists and people through music. This is evident through the support it provides to up-and-coming artists, including the Seattle-based band, Grace Love & The True Loves. For relatively new artists, getting any radio station to play their music can be a tall order. Unlike other stations that focus on playing already established artists, KEXP takes chances with new bands. Grace Love, the band’s lead vocalist and namesake, grew up listening to KEXP and said she has always appreciated the station. Her connection to the station grew when KEXP played the band’s new single on air. “Getting radio play is very hard in any aspect, but as soon as we got our first real play on KEXP, it changed how I actually perceived KEXP,” Love said. Love said that KEXP has become more than just a source of exposure for Grace Love & The True Loves — it has became another home. “It is just like having a space where people feel at home,” Love said. “A place where you get to interact with people that are on the radio.” Having performed at the New Home and worked with the staff, Love said she and the band have gained a deeper appreciation for the people who work at KEXP. “The best part about KEXP is that everyone who works there is human,” Love said. “The DJs actually know and care about the music they play on air.” Love had the opportunity to experience the New Home in person by participating in KEXP’s grand opening ceremony as the featured performer. She said the invitation was a surprise, but it only served to confirm her belief that KEXP genuinely cares about artists and music. “Sometimes, you can lose sight when you move into something bigger and better,” Love said, “but KEXP somehow put the spirit of the old KEXP in a box, zip tied it, and brought it into this new, cool space.” ■
Tom Mara’s New Home Curated Playlist We asked KEXP’s Executive Director Tom Mara to name five songs that embody the character and spirit of KEXP. As you might imagine, it was a challenge. “We are just floored by the financial support, creativity and talent our music community generously contributed,” Mara said. “As with any short list of music favorites, it is hard to choose just five, but here goes …”
VOCALS: Grace Love GUITAR: Jimmy James BASS: Bryant Moore B3 ORGAN: Anthony Warner TENOR SAX: Gordon Brown TRUMPET: Scott Morning TROMBONE: Greg Kramer PERCUSSION: Ivan Galvez DRUMS: David McGraw
Brandi Carlile: “The Eye” “Brandi and the twins just held us in their hands during their generous benefit for the New Home a year ago. Without a microphone or any amplification during their Pin Drop Tour, they brought us to a special place and the world went away.” Grace Love & The True Loves: “Nobody Sweeter” “This is the first song Grace Love & The True Loves played live in the new home. … They have been tireless supporters.” Raw Power, A Benefit for KEXP’s New Home: “Little Doll” “With this first song in the tribute to Iggy Pop on top of the Pike Place Market, Mike McCready, Duff McKagen, Barrett Martin and Mark Arm made history … all while generating a great deal of support.” Iggy Pop: “Lust for Life” “This is the first song we played at our prior home about 15 years ago. It was also the last song played there before we switched over to the New Home, thanks to DJ John Richards.” Robin Hitchcock: “Viva! Sea-Tac” “A multi-decade favorite artist of ours, Robyn Hitchcock’s song was the first we played at the New Home on Dec. 9.”
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Swedish Medical Center, Edmonds Emergency Department Location: Edmonds, WA Square Footage: 77,000 Architect: NBBJ Number of Levels: 2 Opened for Business: November 2015 Type of Project: Healthcare
The Edmonds community welcomed a revitalizing new addition to its Swedish Medical Center campus, the Edmonds Emergency Department. Built alongside the original nine-story Swedish Edmonds Hospital, the expansion was constructed with the goal of providing the community with access to quick and affordable emergency care services. “It’s an opportunity to take care of patients in this new era
of healthcare,” said Dr. Bob Rutherford, director of the hospital’s new emergency department. The building was designed with a glacier-inspired exterior and is decorated with culturally driven art and architecture. It is home to an urgent care clinic, exam rooms, treatment stations, an imaging center and a behavioral health unit. Multiple lobby services, including a gift shop and Starbucks, are also on the first floor.
THIS PAGE: The new main lobby entrance. Just inside, a 15-foot-tall water feature greets guests. PHOTOGRAPHY: BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER
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“This new addition is all about putting the patient first, providing the right level of care in the right setting, and giving patients more affordable options that fit their individual needs. The investment in our campus will improve access to our ED, as well as provide needed local outpatient services and enhance the overall patient experience.” – David Jaffe, Former Chief Executive Swedish Edmonds Hospital
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“We’re all very proud of the new facility. It’s the result of lots of hard work … and the high levels of dedication and creativity really shine through. Edmonds now has a world-class emergency and urgent care center right in its backyard, embodied in a package that captures the spirit of our community.” – Jennifer Graves, Chief Executive Swedish Edmonds Hospital
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EXAM ROOMS
28
TREATMENT STATIONS
13
PATIENTS EXPECTED BY THE END OF 2016
49,000
POUNDS OF HARVESTED DRIFTWOOD FOR AN ART PIECE
4,500
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Staff work stations surrounded by patient rooms; the main lobby and waiting area provides a calming atmosphere; one of 13 treatment stations within the facility; the lobby features various art pieces that represent the Edmonds community, including a driftwood art piece
How you can make a community impact Sellen+ brings partners, clients and employees together to learn how to give back to the community and why it’s important. PHOTOGRAPHY: WON MOC
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n March, Sellen welcomed six respected business and community leaders, as well as representatives from 19 non-profit organizations for the Sellen+ Community Leadership panel discussion and volunteer fair. This was the second event in the Sellen+ series, which launched in May 2015 as a platform to bring clients and community partners together for conversations around the impactful and important work happening in the Puget Sound area. The panel speakers included: Paula Boggs, former Starbucks general counsel; Michelle Clements, former senior vice president of human resources at REI; Matt Griffin, principal and managing partner of Pine Street Group; Bob Ratliffe, managing director of Silver Creek Capital; and Scott Redman, president of Sellen. It was moderated by Jan Levy, executive director of Leadership Tomorrow. The panelists offered thoughtful insights about balancing life and service, how to choose a non-profit, and why it is important to give back. While a two-hour discussion is hard to recap in two pages, we’ve done our best to include some of the highlights. Levy: Why is it important for you to serve the community? Griffin: We hear people say that we all got here standing on somebody else’s shoulders. For us to be able to participate and provide that kind of foundation for others is an important
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Jan Levy Moderator part of a life. Also, you meet a different slice of people in the community. Boggs: I volunteer because I want that to be the kind of community I am a part of. If I’m in a community where I’m giving and others are giving, that makes it a better place for me to live. Ratliffe: It was always an expectation that service went above self. It’s something that is embedded and once you start it becomes a cycle. Clements: Leadership — serving in a non-profit capacity and having the ability to touch the lives of others allows you to grow and develop. There is so much leadership needed in local communities. Redman: I grew up not knowing any other way. It’s also been a way to continue to learn. You meet amazing people in the community, and it exposes you to a wide variety of issues, challenges and concerns. It fuels a part of me that wouldn’t necessarily get fueled elsewhere.
Levy: What advice would you give about how to choose a board and spend volunteer time? Ratliffe: Look for things where you can make a difference and that you are passionate about. Clements: The word I gravitate to is authenticity. If it’s something that stokes your fire, it’s very likely that you’re going to push the agenda. Redman: Choose something that you are truly passionate about, because it’s what keeps you going and it’s what inspires you to spend the extra hours — and it does take extra hours. Also, figure out where on the spectrum of volunteerism you are more interested in and can be most effective. Whether you want to work in the food bank or you prefer higher-level state policy reform, there are organizations out there who need your help. Griffin: For me, it’s do I believe in the mission? And do I like a core group of the board members? Because if you don’t believe in those things then it’s hard to go deep. Boggs: Being passionate about the mission is really important. The only thing I will add is that your relationship with the organization can change over time, and how you want to stay connected to a mission that you care about can change, too. Levy: Why are personal relationships so important, in your personal and volunteer life? Clements: For me, it really comes down to unlocking an individual’s human potential. It’s recognizing that everyone has something to give. There isn’t a person that I haven’t learned something unique and special from. It’s about connecting and creating that environment where people can really bring their best into the workplace or their community.
Levy: Your volunteer service often has you heading capitol campaigns or fundraising campaigns. How do you get people to stop avoiding the f-word — fundraising? Griffin: I actually think that all board members should do some fundraising. When you fundraise, you appreciate how valuable those dollars are, and it allows you to think, if we’re going to spend $1,000 here somebody’s got to go raise it. Boggs: There are many ways to serve; there are many ways to give. Even if that check is $50, I think it’s really important to a volunteer leader to contribute and make a statement by giving. But I also think that many organizations are enhanced by the diversity of their boards and that includes socioeconomic diversity. I would just keep that notion front and center as we think about how we define giving and philanthropy in support of any organization. People are in different places, and organizations are enriched by that diversity.
“Look for things where you can make a difference and that you are passionate about.” – Bob Ratliffe, Managing Director Silver Creek Capital
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I’m a big believer that the arts spark conversations that are important for the community.
“For me, it’s do I believe in the mission? ... Because if you don’t believe in those things then it’s hard to go deep.” – Matt Griffin, Principal & Managing Director, Pine Street Group
Levy: How do you balance your professional and volunteer life with your personal life? Boggs: It’s all a question of balance. I’ve improved on saying no. The bottom line is, try to have a conversation with yourself — in a hierarchy of things, what is most important? Being passionate makes it easy make the commitment, carve out the time and make it a priority. But what that also means is you’re going to have to say no to some other really great opportunities, even if they are in your wheelhouse. Levy: Scott, in addition to KEXP, you have a number of arts boards you are involved with, including ArtsFund and the Seattle Art Museum. Why should we care about the arts? Redman: What I’ve seen through my involvement and engagement with arts organizations is the profound impact that art can have in people’s lives. The people who create that work are remarkable members of our community who are oftentimes not enjoying the success that those of us in other forms of commerce are. Many of them are doing it out of a personal passion and commitment. I’ve really learned to appreciate what they do, how much they struggle to do it, and how it impacts all of our lives.
Levy: In thinking about your service what has surprised you the most? What lessons, positive or negative, have you taken from serving? Redman: Very few negative lessons, lots of positives. One of the things I get from my volunteer experience is that it feels like an ongoing education. You’re learning about organizations and other people. One of the most positive things I’ve taken away is being around other really smart, interested, passionate, motivated people and watching other examples of great leadership. Clements: On the cautionary tale side, I think it requires courage. You have to have courageous conversations as a board member, and there is no better board member than that person who speaks up at the end of the table to ask, “Why are we doing it that way?” or, “This board isn’t showing up the way it needs to show up.” Every board member needs to bring a strong, courageous voice and be there with a commitment to make a difference — in how the board runs as much as what it does to serve the community. Boggs: One of the biggest surprises for me — and fortunately it hasn’t happened that often — is when you think you’re aligned with the
“If I’m in a community where I’m giving and others are giving, that makes it a better place for me to live.” – Paula Boggs, Former General Counsel at Starbucks
An Award-Winning Culture of Giving
“You meet amazing people in the community, and it exposes you to a wide variety of issues, challenges and concerns. It fuels a part of me that wouldn’t necessarily get fueled elsewhere.” – Scott Redman President, Sellen Construction
mission of an organization, but you’re really not at the end of the day. Your path and the organization’s path are not in sync, and you’ve got to make some hard decisions. At the end of the day, non-profit organizations are a collection of people and values. My experience has been that I’ve always gotten back more than I have ever given. My hope for each of you is that you have the same experience. ■
Seattle has been Sellen’s home since 1944. We are deeply committed to the success of our community, and we are honored to be recognized as this year’s “Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Advancement Northwest. Sellen’s vision is to build and improve our community through civic, social and environmental responsibility — not only in our approach to construction or in how we select the clients for whom we choose to work, but also in the ways that we reinvest time, energy and money back into our neighborhoods. Last year, Sellen launched the Sellen Community Foundation with a mission to make an impact in our community through leadership, engagement, partnership and investment. Throughout the year, Sellen sponsors multiple fundraising campaigns for ArtsFund, United Way and the American Heart Association. This year, our total community impact is expected to be more than $1.2 million. AFP Advancement Northwest has sponsored this annual awards program since 1989 to recognize outstanding philanthropic achievement in Washington. In accepting this distinction, Sellen joins other esteemed local companies, including Harley Marine Services (2015), Alaska Airlines (2012) and McKinstry Company (2010).
“Serving in a non-profit capacity and having the ability to touch the lives of others allows you to grow and develop.” – Michelle Clements, Former Senior Vice President of Human Resources at REI
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A transformation in cancer care The Swedish Cancer Institute uses gene sequencing to drive a new approach — and a new future — for cancer treatment. BY: AMANDA ERICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY: WON MOC
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hen asked if there will ever be a cure for cancer, Thomas Brown, M.D., MBA, just chuckled and slightly shook his head. Not because the answer is impossible — more because the question is. “That question always fascinates me, because there are cancers now that are cured,” said the executive director at the Swedish Cancer Institute (SCI). “The short answer to your question is yes, if you catch them early enough, cancers can be
completely eliminated. Then if you take that one step forward — if you can identify some early changes before there’s actually a cancer — then you can definitely cure everyone.” That “one step forward” is the driving force behind SCI’s Personalized Medicine Program, a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment that forms the foundation of what SCI provides to patients. SCI is part of Swedish, a not-forprofit healthcare system. Founded in 1932, it is one of the oldest cancer centers in the country. Dr. Brown
joined SCI as the executive director in January 2013. A real-life Doogie Howser, he entered medical school when he was 19 and became a board-certified oncologist by the age of 28. Under his leadership, the institute has been researching and developing the Personalized Medicine Program for nearly three years. The program uses genomic sequencing to identify gene mutations in a cancer patient’s tumor, essentially mapping the cancer’s molecular fingerprint. It then compares the biological characteristics of that fingerprint with those of other cancer patients. SCI uses that molecular information to help inform and determine potential treatment, regardless of what type of cancer it is. This differs from traditional cancer treatment that is primarily informed by where the cancer physically began in the body. “We’re beginning to understand that the site of origin of the cancer isn’t so important as the unique biological
“We’re beginning to understand that the site of origin of the cancer isn’t so important as the unique biological characteristics of the patient’s tumor and the person himself. … In 5, 10, 15 years, we’ll be looking back and thinking it was odd that we used to treat people based on where the cancer started in the body.” – Thomas Brown, M.D., MBA Executive Director, SCI
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characteristics of the patient’s tumor and the person himself,” Dr. Brown said. “So much so that in 5, 10, 15 years, we’ll be looking back and thinking it was odd that we used to treat people based on where the cancer started in the body.” According to Dr. Brown, this kind of sequencing has usually only been done in the medical community as a last resort for patients who have exhausted every other standard type of treatment. SCI, however, is offering genomic sequencing to all patients and using that information to help inform their treatment from the beginning. In August, Sellen and Perkins+Will completed the new Robert and Jean Reid Family Innovative Therapeutics & Research Unit for SCI. The 22,000-square-foot space is used primarily for clinical trials in the Personalized Medicine Program. As of September, SCI has approximately 840 patients in the research program. So what does this mean for the future of cancer care and treatment? According to Dr. Brown, it’s everything. “We are at a pivotal time in cancer care,” Dr. Brown said. “People use the word transformation a lot, but it really is a transformational time.” Doctors and patients can begin using this genomic information to prevent cancers from ever happening. There may be a future, for example, where everyone is able to do whole genomic sequencing and use that data to anticipate potential disease risks and avoid them through behavioral changes. “It’s really trying to change the focus away from treating active advanced diseases, which is what most of modern medicine is about, to one where you’re focused on promoting and maintaining wellness.” Dr. Brown said. “Because the best way to cure cancer is to never have it.” ■
“The key to safety is staying alert and being prepared.� Brandon Stenerodden Operating Engineer on 9th and Lenora