Brian Court
FAIA, Partner
Seattle Studio
According to Brian, a new era of architecture is upon us. Because the built environment is responsible for 40% of carbon emissions, it’s time for architects to change the way we design buildings. “A lot of people think that the look and feel of a building has to be compromised for sustainability and high performance to be included.” This, Brian explains, is a great misconception – that we somehow have to settle for less design in order to be kinder to the planet.
Brian has devoted much of his career to exploring what environmentally responsible architecture might look like. What if we let go of our old notions of what a building should look like? What if we design buildings from the inside out? In this time of environmental crisis, form should be a direct result of site, climate, and systems.
Brian’s commitment to performative design has earned him a reputation as a prominent performance-driven architect. Leading the design of some of the country’s most sustainable buildings like the Bullitt Center and the Kendeda Building – the first Living Building Challenge project to win an AIA National Award – Brian is responsible for helping to affirm this approach and prove to the industry that ethics and aesthetics can, in fact, coexist.
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Lectures & Juries
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- 11/2025: 20th Advanced Building Skins Conference & Expo — Advanced Building Skin Design for Optimized Daylighting: Mat Albores & Brian Court
- 12/2024: Arch Newspaper Facades Conference: Mathew Albores & Brian Court
- 05/2024 International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Conference: Brian Court
- 06/2022 AIA National Conference: Brian Court
- 12/2020 Architectural Record Webinar: Brian Court
- 06/2017 Webinar “Design Innovation Using Wood,” Brian Court
- 04/2017 University of Hawaii ‘Building Voices’ Earth Day Symposium: Brian Court
- 02/2016 Canadian Wood Design & Building Awards Jury: Brian Court
- 08/2016 Verdical Group | Net Zero Energy + Water + Waste Conference
- 10/2016 Clinton Global Initiative | Sustainable Cities Working Group
- 02/2016 ILFI | Net Positive Energy & Water Conference
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Related Projects
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- 15 Elizabeth
- 156 West Superior Condominiums
- Bullitt Center
- C Concourse Expansion at SEA
- Cascade Residence
- District House
- Fairbanks Field Office, United States Fish & Wildlife Services
- Harbor Avenue Campus
- The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
- Lake City Collective
- Loom House
- Matt’s Place
- Natural and Environmental Science Testing and Teaching Center (NESTT) Concept
- New U.S. Consulate Campus, Casablanca, Morocco
- New U.S. Consulate Campus, Guadalajara, Mexico
- New U.S. Embassy Campus, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Northwest Maritime Center
- Pike Place MarketFront
- The Shay Mixed-Use Development
- Structural & Materials Engineering Building